diff --git a/homeassistant/components/template/cover.py b/homeassistant/components/template/cover.py
index 9aafc719f1b..1e0fdfacc8e 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/template/cover.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/template/cover.py
@@ -233,6 +233,9 @@ class CoverTemplate(TemplateEntity, CoverEntity):
             if not self._position_template:
                 self._position = None
 
+            self._is_opening = False
+            self._is_closing = False
+
     @callback
     def _update_position(self, result):
         try:
diff --git a/tests/components/template/test_cover.py b/tests/components/template/test_cover.py
index e89773d9988..acf49eb5469 100644
--- a/tests/components/template/test_cover.py
+++ b/tests/components/template/test_cover.py
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ OPEN_CLOSE_COVER_CONFIG = {
                 (
                     "cover.test_state",
                     "dog",
-                    STATE_CLOSING,
+                    STATE_UNKNOWN,
                     {},
                     -1,
                     "Received invalid cover is_on state: dog",