diff --git a/esphome/components/network/__init__.py b/esphome/components/network/__init__.py
index f5ddbc0da7..96db322bde 100644
--- a/esphome/components/network/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/network/__init__.py
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ CONFIG_SCHEMA = cv.Schema(
 
 
 async def to_code(config):
+    cg.add_define("USE_NETWORK")
     if (enable_ipv6 := config.get(CONF_ENABLE_IPV6, None)) is not None:
         cg.add_define("USE_NETWORK_IPV6", enable_ipv6)
         if enable_ipv6:
diff --git a/esphome/components/network/ip_address.h b/esphome/components/network/ip_address.h
index 30a426e458..941934cf0a 100644
--- a/esphome/components/network/ip_address.h
+++ b/esphome/components/network/ip_address.h
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 #pragma once
+#include "esphome/core/defines.h"
+#ifdef USE_NETWORK
 #include <cstdint>
 #include <string>
 #include <cstdio>
@@ -140,3 +142,4 @@ using IPAddresses = std::array<IPAddress, 5>;
 
 }  // namespace network
 }  // namespace esphome
+#endif
diff --git a/esphome/components/network/util.cpp b/esphome/components/network/util.cpp
index 445485b644..ed519f738a 100644
--- a/esphome/components/network/util.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/network/util.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 #include "util.h"
 #include "esphome/core/defines.h"
-
+#ifdef USE_NETWORK
 #ifdef USE_WIFI
 #include "esphome/components/wifi/wifi_component.h"
 #endif
@@ -63,3 +63,4 @@ std::string get_use_address() {
 
 }  // namespace network
 }  // namespace esphome
+#endif
diff --git a/esphome/components/network/util.h b/esphome/components/network/util.h
index 5377d44f2f..b518696e68 100644
--- a/esphome/components/network/util.h
+++ b/esphome/components/network/util.h
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #pragma once
-
+#include "esphome/core/defines.h"
+#ifdef USE_NETWORK
 #include <string>
 #include "ip_address.h"
 
@@ -16,3 +17,4 @@ IPAddresses get_ip_addresses();
 
 }  // namespace network
 }  // namespace esphome
+#endif
diff --git a/esphome/core/defines.h b/esphome/core/defines.h
index a711148ec8..a4d473b76e 100644
--- a/esphome/core/defines.h
+++ b/esphome/core/defines.h
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@
 #define USE_MDNS
 #define USE_MEDIA_PLAYER
 #define USE_MQTT
+#define USE_NETWORK
 #define USE_NEXTION_TFT_UPLOAD
 #define USE_NUMBER
 #define USE_ONLINE_IMAGE_PNG_SUPPORT