diff --git a/src/activities/network/WifiSelectionActivity.cpp b/src/activities/network/WifiSelectionActivity.cpp
index 2db2623c..cde33138 100644
--- a/src/activities/network/WifiSelectionActivity.cpp
+++ b/src/activities/network/WifiSelectionActivity.cpp
@@ -217,7 +217,10 @@ void WifiSelectionActivity::attemptConnection() {
   connectionError.clear();
   requestUpdate();
 
+  WiFi.persistent(false);  // Credentials are managed by WifiCredentialStore; suppress SDK NVS auto-connect
   WiFi.mode(WIFI_STA);
+  WiFi.disconnect(true);  // Abort any in-progress SDK auto-connect and clear NVS-saved SSID
+  delay(100);
 
   // Set hostname so routers show "CrossPoint-Reader-AABBCCDDEEFF" instead of "esp32-XXXXXXXXXXXX"
   String mac = WiFi.macAddress();