diff --git a/ports/esp8266/modnetwork.c b/ports/esp8266/modnetwork.c
index cad53d912c..3b8ef4b21f 100644
--- a/ports/esp8266/modnetwork.c
+++ b/ports/esp8266/modnetwork.c
@@ -239,9 +239,7 @@ STATIC mp_obj_t esp_scan(mp_obj_t self_in) {
         // esp_scan_list variable to NULL without disabling interrupts
         if (MP_STATE_VM(mp_pending_exception) != NULL) {
             esp_scan_list = NULL;
-            mp_obj_t obj = MP_STATE_VM(mp_pending_exception);
-            MP_STATE_VM(mp_pending_exception) = MP_OBJ_NULL;
-            nlr_raise(obj);
+            mp_handle_pending(true);
         }
         ets_loop_iter();
     }