diff --git a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component_esp8266.cpp b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component_esp8266.cpp
index 578588455a..acaa94b13c 100644
--- a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component_esp8266.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component_esp8266.cpp
@@ -550,6 +550,9 @@ void WiFiComponent::wifi_event_callback(System_Event_t *event) {
       // https://lbsfilm.at/blog/wpa2-authenticationmode-downgrade-in-espressif-microprocessors
       if (it.old_mode != AUTH_OPEN && it.new_mode == AUTH_OPEN) {
         ESP_LOGW(TAG, "Potential Authmode downgrade detected, disconnecting");
+#if LWIP_VERSION_MAJOR != 1
+        sta_netif_down();
+#endif
         wifi_station_disconnect();
         global_wifi_component->error_from_callback_ = true;
       }