diff --git a/esphome/components/dht/dht.cpp b/esphome/components/dht/dht.cpp
index a7f5747d68..734dde20a8 100644
--- a/esphome/components/dht/dht.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/dht/dht.cpp
@@ -122,6 +122,8 @@ bool HOT ICACHE_RAM_ATTR DHT::read_sensor_(float *temperature, float *humidity,
           break;
         }
       }
+      if (error_code != 0)
+        break;
 
       start_time = micros();
       uint32_t end_time = start_time;
@@ -136,6 +138,8 @@ bool HOT ICACHE_RAM_ATTR DHT::read_sensor_(float *temperature, float *humidity,
           break;
         }
       }
+      if (error_code != 0)
+        break;
 
       if (i < 0)
         continue;