diff --git a/esphome/core/config.py b/esphome/core/config.py
index 5501f484af..ef6553026e 100644
--- a/esphome/core/config.py
+++ b/esphome/core/config.py
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ def preload_core_config(config, result):
         conf = PRELOAD_CONFIG_SCHEMA(config[CONF_ESPHOME])
 
     CORE.name = conf[CONF_NAME]
-    CORE.friendly_name = conf.get(CONF_FRIENDLY_NAME, CORE.name)
+    CORE.friendly_name = conf.get(CONF_FRIENDLY_NAME)
     CORE.data[KEY_CORE] = {}
 
     if CONF_BUILD_PATH not in conf: