diff --git a/subsys/bluetooth/host/conn.c b/subsys/bluetooth/host/conn.c
index 2820f5768dc..d0d08e5df12 100644
--- a/subsys/bluetooth/host/conn.c
+++ b/subsys/bluetooth/host/conn.c
@@ -2248,6 +2248,8 @@ struct bt_conn *bt_conn_create_le(const bt_addr_le_t *peer,
 		return conn;
 	}
 #endif
+	bt_conn_set_state(conn, BT_CONN_CONNECT);
+
 	if (bt_le_direct_conn(conn)) {
 		bt_conn_set_state(conn, BT_CONN_DISCONNECTED);
 		bt_conn_unref(conn);
@@ -2256,8 +2258,6 @@ struct bt_conn *bt_conn_create_le(const bt_addr_le_t *peer,
 		return NULL;
 	}
 
-	bt_conn_set_state(conn, BT_CONN_CONNECT);
-
 	return conn;
 }