diff --git a/esphome/__main__.py b/esphome/__main__.py
index a287bfebe4..fc026a90f1 100644
--- a/esphome/__main__.py
+++ b/esphome/__main__.py
@@ -1040,7 +1040,7 @@ def parse_args(argv):
 
     argcomplete.autocomplete(parser)
 
-    if any(arg in SIMPLE_CONFIG_ACTIONS for arg in arguments):
+    if arguments and arguments[0] in SIMPLE_CONFIG_ACTIONS:
         args, unknown_args = parser.parse_known_args(arguments)
         if unknown_args:
             _LOGGER.warning("Ignored unrecognized arguments: %s", unknown_args)