diff --git a/esphome/components/light/light_state.cpp b/esphome/components/light/light_state.cpp
index cafced27fc..2b16319ddb 100644
--- a/esphome/components/light/light_state.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/light/light_state.cpp
@@ -24,9 +24,12 @@ void LightState::start_flash_(const LightColorValues &target, uint32_t length) {
 
 LightState::LightState(const std::string &name, LightOutput *output) : Nameable(name), output_(output) {}
 
-void LightState::set_immediately_(const LightColorValues &target) {
+void LightState::set_immediately_(const LightColorValues &target, bool set_remote_values) {
   this->transformer_ = nullptr;
-  this->current_values = this->remote_values = target;
+  this->current_values = target;
+  if (set_remote_values) {
+    this->remote_values = target;
+  }
   this->next_write_ = true;
 }
 
@@ -327,10 +330,10 @@ void LightCall::perform() {
 
     // Also set light color values when starting an effect
     // For example to turn off the light
-    this->parent_->set_immediately_(v);
+    this->parent_->set_immediately_(v, true);
   } else {
     // INSTANT CHANGE
-    this->parent_->set_immediately_(v);
+    this->parent_->set_immediately_(v, this->publish_);
   }
 
   if (this->publish_) {
diff --git a/esphome/components/light/light_state.h b/esphome/components/light/light_state.h
index d67aa2c53d..c460be09be 100644
--- a/esphome/components/light/light_state.h
+++ b/esphome/components/light/light_state.h
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ class LightState : public Nameable, public Component {
   void start_flash_(const LightColorValues &target, uint32_t length);
 
   /// Internal method to set the color values to target immediately (with no transition).
-  void set_immediately_(const LightColorValues &target);
+  void set_immediately_(const LightColorValues &target, bool set_remote_values);
 
   /// Internal method to start a transformer.
   void set_transformer_(std::unique_ptr<LightTransformer> transformer);