diff --git a/esphome/components/copy/fan/copy_fan.cpp b/esphome/components/copy/fan/copy_fan.cpp
index c1e873e083..d35ece950b 100644
--- a/esphome/components/copy/fan/copy_fan.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/copy/fan/copy_fan.cpp
@@ -12,11 +12,7 @@ void CopyFan::setup() {
     this->oscillating = source_->oscillating;
     this->speed = source_->speed;
     this->direction = source_->direction;
-    const char *preset = source_->get_preset_mode();
-    if (preset != nullptr)
-      this->set_preset_mode_(preset);
-    else
-      this->clear_preset_mode_();
+    this->set_preset_mode_(source_->get_preset_mode());
     this->publish_state();
   });
 
@@ -24,11 +20,7 @@ void CopyFan::setup() {
   this->oscillating = source_->oscillating;
   this->speed = source_->speed;
   this->direction = source_->direction;
-  const char *preset = source_->get_preset_mode();
-  if (preset != nullptr)
-    this->set_preset_mode_(preset);
-  else
-    this->clear_preset_mode_();
+  this->set_preset_mode_(source_->get_preset_mode());
   this->publish_state();
 }
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/fan/fan.cpp b/esphome/components/fan/fan.cpp
index eb2e8743f3..c4abab0b4a 100644
--- a/esphome/components/fan/fan.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/fan/fan.cpp
@@ -138,6 +138,14 @@ FanCall Fan::make_call() { return FanCall(*this); }
 const char *Fan::find_preset_mode_(const char *preset_mode) { return this->get_traits().find_preset_mode(preset_mode); }
 
 bool Fan::set_preset_mode_(const char *preset_mode) {
+  if (preset_mode == nullptr) {
+    // Treat nullptr as clearing the preset mode
+    if (this->preset_mode_ == nullptr) {
+      return false;  // No change
+    }
+    this->clear_preset_mode_();
+    return true;
+  }
   const char *validated = this->find_preset_mode_(preset_mode);
   if (validated == nullptr || this->preset_mode_ == validated) {
     return false;  // Preset mode not supported or no change