diff --git a/homeassistant/components/fan/__init__.py b/homeassistant/components/fan/__init__.py
index b05bc757eac..a4518b15f99 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/fan/__init__.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/fan/__init__.py
@@ -6,7 +6,12 @@ from typing import Optional
 
 import voluptuous as vol
 
-from homeassistant.const import SERVICE_TOGGLE, SERVICE_TURN_OFF, SERVICE_TURN_ON
+from homeassistant.const import (
+    SERVICE_TOGGLE,
+    SERVICE_TURN_OFF,
+    SERVICE_TURN_ON,
+    STATE_ON,
+)
 import homeassistant.helpers.config_validation as cv
 from homeassistant.helpers.config_validation import (  # noqa: F401
     PLATFORM_SCHEMA,
@@ -50,7 +55,9 @@ ATTR_DIRECTION = "direction"
 def is_on(hass, entity_id: str) -> bool:
     """Return if the fans are on based on the statemachine."""
     state = hass.states.get(entity_id)
-    return state.attributes[ATTR_SPEED] not in [SPEED_OFF, None]
+    if ATTR_SPEED in state.attributes:
+        return state.attributes[ATTR_SPEED] not in [SPEED_OFF, None]
+    return state.state == STATE_ON
 
 
 async def async_setup(hass, config: dict):
diff --git a/homeassistant/components/mqtt/fan.py b/homeassistant/components/mqtt/fan.py
index e70ff62b0fb..b2836112921 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/mqtt/fan.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/mqtt/fan.py
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ from homeassistant.const import (
     CONF_PAYLOAD_ON,
     CONF_STATE,
     CONF_UNIQUE_ID,
+    STATE_OFF,
+    STATE_ON,
 )
 from homeassistant.core import callback
 import homeassistant.helpers.config_validation as cv
@@ -153,7 +155,7 @@ class MqttFan(
     def __init__(self, config, config_entry, discovery_data):
         """Initialize the MQTT fan."""
         self._unique_id = config.get(CONF_UNIQUE_ID)
-        self._state = False
+        self._state = STATE_OFF
         self._speed = None
         self._oscillation = None
         self._supported_features = 0
@@ -255,9 +257,9 @@ class MqttFan(
             """Handle new received MQTT message."""
             payload = templates[CONF_STATE](msg.payload)
             if payload == self._payload["STATE_ON"]:
-                self._state = True
+                self._state = STATE_ON
             elif payload == self._payload["STATE_OFF"]:
-                self._state = False
+                self._state = STATE_OFF
             self.async_write_ha_state()
 
         if self._topic[CONF_STATE_TOPIC] is not None:
@@ -335,7 +337,7 @@ class MqttFan(
     @property
     def is_on(self):
         """Return true if device is on."""
-        return self._state
+        return self._state == STATE_ON
 
     @property
     def name(self) -> str:
@@ -377,7 +379,7 @@ class MqttFan(
         if speed:
             await self.async_set_speed(speed)
         if self._optimistic:
-            self._state = True
+            self._state = STATE_ON
             self.async_write_ha_state()
 
     async def async_turn_off(self, **kwargs) -> None:
@@ -393,7 +395,7 @@ class MqttFan(
             self._config[CONF_RETAIN],
         )
         if self._optimistic:
-            self._state = False
+            self._state = STATE_OFF
             self.async_write_ha_state()
 
     async def async_set_speed(self, speed: str) -> None: