diff --git a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component_esp8266.cpp b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component_esp8266.cpp
index 335112a6f9..1c744648bb 100644
--- a/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component_esp8266.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component_esp8266.cpp
@@ -242,11 +242,7 @@ bool WiFiComponent::wifi_sta_connect_(const WiFiAP &ap) {
   if (!this->wifi_mode_(true, {}))
     return false;
 
-  // Skip disconnect for roaming - let the SDK handle the transition
-  // This preserves TCP connections during the brief AP switch
-  if (!this->roaming_connect_active_) {
-    this->wifi_disconnect_();
-  }
+  this->wifi_disconnect_();
 
   struct station_config conf {};
   memset(&conf, 0, sizeof(conf));