diff --git a/esphome/components/template/water_heater/template_water_heater.cpp b/esphome/components/template/water_heater/template_water_heater.cpp
index 9475aff758..18ef8d3f06 100644
--- a/esphome/components/template/water_heater/template_water_heater.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/template/water_heater/template_water_heater.cpp
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ void TemplateWaterHeater::setup() {
       restore->perform();
     }
   }
+  if (!this->current_temperature_f_.has_value() && !this->mode_f_.has_value())
+    this->disable_loop();
 }
 
 water_heater::WaterHeaterTraits TemplateWaterHeater::traits() {