diff --git a/esphome/components/shelly_dimmer/light.py b/esphome/components/shelly_dimmer/light.py
index 5bdb54baf5..625784427f 100644
--- a/esphome/components/shelly_dimmer/light.py
+++ b/esphome/components/shelly_dimmer/light.py
@@ -29,7 +29,8 @@ from esphome.const import (
 from esphome.core import HexInt, CORE
 
 DOMAIN = "shelly_dimmer"
-DEPENDENCIES = ["sensor", "uart", "esp8266"]
+AUTO_LOAD = ["sensor"]
+DEPENDENCIES = ["uart", "esp8266"]
 
 shelly_dimmer_ns = cg.esphome_ns.namespace("shelly_dimmer")
 ShellyDimmer = shelly_dimmer_ns.class_(