diff --git a/homeassistant/components/dhcp/__init__.py b/homeassistant/components/dhcp/__init__.py
index ebd0629950e..de3e48c468b 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/dhcp/__init__.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/dhcp/__init__.py
@@ -316,7 +316,9 @@ class NetworkWatcher(WatcherBase):
         """Start a new discovery task if one is not running."""
         if self._discover_task and not self._discover_task.done():
             return
-        self._discover_task = self.hass.async_create_task(self.async_discover())
+        self._discover_task = self.hass.async_create_background_task(
+            self.async_discover(), name="dhcp discovery", eager_start=True
+        )
 
     async def async_discover(self) -> None:
         """Process discovery."""