diff --git a/gauge.py b/gauge.py
index c1651b6..6536baa 100644
--- a/gauge.py
+++ b/gauge.py
@@ -562,7 +562,8 @@ def connect_wifi(ssid, password, timeout_s=15, force_reconnect=False):
     last_error = None
     for attempt in range(_WIFI_CONNECT_ATTEMPTS):
         info(f"WiFi connecting to '{ssid}' (attempt {attempt + 1}/{_WIFI_CONNECT_ATTEMPTS}) ...")
-        _reset_wifi_interface()
+        if not _wifi_sta.isconnected():
+            _reset_wifi_interface()
         try:
             _wifi_sta.connect(ssid, password)
             deadline = utime.time() + timeout_s