diff --git a/ports/esp32s2/common-hal/wifi/Radio.c b/ports/esp32s2/common-hal/wifi/Radio.c
index 275bae31af..1945da207b 100644
--- a/ports/esp32s2/common-hal/wifi/Radio.c
+++ b/ports/esp32s2/common-hal/wifi/Radio.c
@@ -72,6 +72,8 @@ void common_hal_wifi_radio_set_enabled(wifi_radio_obj_t *self, bool enabled) {
         return;
     }
     if (!self->started && enabled) {
+	// esp_wifi_start() would default to soft-AP, thus setting it to station
+        ESP_ERROR_CHECK(esp_wifi_set_mode(WIFI_MODE_STA));
         ESP_ERROR_CHECK(esp_wifi_start());
         self->started = true;
         return;