diff --git a/tasmota/tasmota_support/support_wifi.ino b/tasmota/tasmota_support/support_wifi.ino
index 692822384..c294c4c48 100644
--- a/tasmota/tasmota_support/support_wifi.ino
+++ b/tasmota/tasmota_support/support_wifi.ino
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ void WifiBegin(uint8_t flag, uint8_t channel)
   WifiSetMode(WIFI_STA);    // Disable AP mode
 */
 #ifdef USE_WIFI_RANGE_EXTENDER
-  if (WiFi.getMode() != WIFI_AP_STA) {  // Preserve range extender connections (#17103)
+  if (WiFi.getMode() != WIFI_AP_STA || !RgxApUp()) {  // Preserve range extender connections (#17103)
     WiFi.disconnect(true);  // Delete SDK wifi config
     delay(200);
     WifiSetMode(WIFI_STA);  // Disable AP mode
diff --git a/tasmota/tasmota_xdrv_driver/xdrv_58_range_extender.ino b/tasmota/tasmota_xdrv_driver/xdrv_58_range_extender.ino
index 88631bb27..3868dde46 100644
--- a/tasmota/tasmota_xdrv_driver/xdrv_58_range_extender.ino
+++ b/tasmota/tasmota_xdrv_driver/xdrv_58_range_extender.ino
@@ -149,6 +149,12 @@ typedef struct
 
 TRgxSettings RgxSettings;
 
+// externalize to be able to protect Rgx AP from teardown
+bool RgxApUp()
+{
+  return RgxSettings.status == RGX_CONFIGURED || RgxSettings.status == RGX_SETUP_NAPT;
+}
+
 // Check the current configuration is complete, updating RgxSettings.status
 void RgxCheckConfig(void)
 {