diff --git a/esphome/components/stepper/stepper.cpp b/esphome/components/stepper/stepper.cpp
index b66536eb8d..e918d1472c 100644
--- a/esphome/components/stepper/stepper.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/stepper/stepper.cpp
@@ -38,8 +38,20 @@ int32_t Stepper::should_step_() {
   // assumes this method is called in a constant interval
   uint32_t dt = now - this->last_step_;
   if (dt >= (1 / this->current_speed_) * 1e6f) {
-    int32_t mag = (rotation_ == ROTATION_BOTH ? (this->target_position > this->current_position ? 1 : -1)
-                                              : (rotation_ == ROTATION_CW ? 1 : -1));
+    int32_t mag = 0;
+    switch(rotation_) {
+      case ROTATION_CW:
+        mag = 1;
+        break;
+
+      case ROTATION_CCW:
+        mag = -1;
+        break;
+
+      default:
+        mag = this->target_position > this->current_position ? 1 : -1;
+        break;
+    }
     this->last_step_ = now;
     this->current_position += mag;
     return mag;