diff --git a/esphome/components/openthread/__init__.py b/esphome/components/openthread/__init__.py
index 5277455eca..4865399d02 100644
--- a/esphome/components/openthread/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/openthread/__init__.py
@@ -107,6 +107,14 @@ _CONNECTION_SCHEMA = cv.Schema(
     }
 )
 
+
+def _require_vfs_select(config):
+    """Register VFS select requirement during config validation."""
+    # OpenThread uses esp_vfs_eventfd which requires VFS select support
+    require_vfs_select()
+    return config
+
+
 CONFIG_SCHEMA = cv.All(
     cv.Schema(
         {
@@ -123,6 +131,7 @@ CONFIG_SCHEMA = cv.All(
     cv.has_exactly_one_key(CONF_NETWORK_KEY, CONF_TLV),
     cv.only_with_esp_idf,
     only_on_variant(supported=[VARIANT_ESP32C6, VARIANT_ESP32H2]),
+    _require_vfs_select,
 )
 
 
@@ -142,9 +151,6 @@ FINAL_VALIDATE_SCHEMA = _final_validate
 async def to_code(config):
     cg.add_define("USE_OPENTHREAD")
 
-    # OpenThread uses esp_vfs_eventfd which requires VFS select support
-    require_vfs_select()
-
     # OpenThread SRP needs access to mDNS services after setup
     enable_mdns_storage()