diff --git a/esphome/core/optional.h b/esphome/core/optional.h
index 5b96781e63..770b77081e 100644
--- a/esphome/core/optional.h
+++ b/esphome/core/optional.h
@@ -104,7 +104,6 @@ template<typename T> class optional {  // NOLINT
     has_value_ = true;
   }
 
- private:
   bool has_value_{false};  // NOLINT
   value_type value_;       // NOLINT
 };