diff --git a/components/esp_wifi/wifi_apps/roaming_app/src/roaming_app.c b/components/esp_wifi/wifi_apps/roaming_app/src/roaming_app.c
index 29b331a464e..c4bc32be7eb 100644
--- a/components/esp_wifi/wifi_apps/roaming_app/src/roaming_app.c
+++ b/components/esp_wifi/wifi_apps/roaming_app/src/roaming_app.c
@@ -2200,8 +2200,11 @@ void roam_init_app(void)
     ESP_LOGE(ROAMING_TAG, "No roaming method enabled. Roaming app cannot be initialized");
     return;
 #endif
+    if (g_roaming_app.app_active) {
+        ESP_LOGD(ROAMING_TAG, "Roaming app already initialized");
+        return;
+    }
     memset(&g_roaming_app, 0, sizeof(g_roaming_app));
-    g_roaming_app.app_active = true;
 #if LOW_RSSI_ROAMING_ENABLED
     ESP_ERROR_CHECK(esp_event_handler_register(WIFI_EVENT, WIFI_EVENT_STA_BSS_RSSI_LOW,
                                                &roaming_app_rssi_low_handler, NULL));
@@ -2212,6 +2215,7 @@ void roam_init_app(void)
     ESP_ERROR_CHECK(esp_event_handler_register(WIFI_EVENT, WIFI_EVENT_STA_NEIGHBOR_REP,
                                                &roaming_app_neighbor_report_recv_handler, NULL));
 #endif /*PERIODIC_RRM_MONITORING*/
+    g_roaming_app.app_active = true;
     ESP_LOGI(ROAMING_TAG, "Roaming app initialization done");
 }
 
@@ -2245,7 +2249,6 @@ static int roaming_app_deinit_internal(void *ctx, void *data)
 {
     (void) ctx;
     (void) data;
-    g_roaming_app.app_active = false;
     roaming_app_cancel_pending_events();
     roaming_app_stop_periodic_monitors();
     roaming_app_reset_connect_hint_state();
@@ -2287,6 +2290,7 @@ void roam_deinit_app(void)
     ESP_ERROR_CHECK(esp_event_handler_unregister(WIFI_EVENT, WIFI_EVENT_STA_NEIGHBOR_REP,
                                                  &roaming_app_neighbor_report_recv_handler));
 #endif /*PERIODIC_RRM_MONITORING*/
+    g_roaming_app.app_active = false;
 }
 
 #if CONFIG_ESP_WIFI_ROAMING_BSSID_BLACKLIST