diff --git a/esphome/components/api/__init__.py b/esphome/components/api/__init__.py
index c4d954bdd2..a0f66c3c80 100644
--- a/esphome/components/api/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/api/__init__.py
@@ -148,8 +148,8 @@ async def to_code(config):
     if config.get(CONF_ACTIONS) or config[CONF_CUSTOM_SERVICES]:
         cg.add_define("USE_API_SERVICES")
 
-    # Set USE_API_HOMEASSISTANT_STATES if enabled or homeassistant component is loaded
-    if config[CONF_HOMEASSISTANT_STATES] or "homeassistant" in CORE.loaded_integrations:
+    # Set USE_API_HOMEASSISTANT_STATES if enabled
+    if config[CONF_HOMEASSISTANT_STATES]:
         cg.add_define("USE_API_HOMEASSISTANT_STATES")
 
     if actions := config.get(CONF_ACTIONS, []):
diff --git a/esphome/components/homeassistant/__init__.py b/esphome/components/homeassistant/__init__.py
index 223d6c18c3..7b23775b47 100644
--- a/esphome/components/homeassistant/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/homeassistant/__init__.py
@@ -38,3 +38,4 @@ def setup_home_assistant_entity(var, config):
     cg.add(var.set_entity_id(config[CONF_ENTITY_ID]))
     if CONF_ATTRIBUTE in config:
         cg.add(var.set_attribute(config[CONF_ATTRIBUTE]))
+    cg.add_define("USE_API_HOMEASSISTANT_STATES")