diff --git a/subsys/bluetooth/host/hci_core.c b/subsys/bluetooth/host/hci_core.c
index 713b6145ac6..1e4dd743c8d 100644
--- a/subsys/bluetooth/host/hci_core.c
+++ b/subsys/bluetooth/host/hci_core.c
@@ -2272,6 +2272,17 @@ static void hci_encrypt_key_refresh_complete(struct net_buf *buf)
 			bt_conn_unref(conn);
 			return;
 		}
+
+		if (IS_ENABLED(CONFIG_BT_SMP)) {
+			/*
+			 * Start SMP over BR/EDR if we are pairing and are
+			 * central on the link
+			 */
+			if (atomic_test_bit(conn->flags, BT_CONN_BR_PAIRED) &&
+			    conn->role == BT_CONN_ROLE_CENTRAL) {
+				bt_smp_br_send_pairing_req(conn);
+			}
+		}
 	}
 #endif /* CONFIG_BT_CLASSIC */