diff --git a/esphome/components/runtime_stats/__init__.py b/esphome/components/runtime_stats/__init__.py
index aff0bf086f..a36e8bfd28 100644
--- a/esphome/components/runtime_stats/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/runtime_stats/__init__.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ CONFIG_SCHEMA = cv.Schema(
     {
         cv.GenerateID(): cv.declare_id(RuntimeStatsCollector),
         cv.Optional(
-            CONF_LOG_INTERVAL, default=60000
+            CONF_LOG_INTERVAL, default="60s"
         ): cv.positive_time_period_milliseconds,
     }
 )