diff --git a/esphome/core/config.py b/esphome/core/config.py
index 93fabe1495..45ba214e44 100644
--- a/esphome/core/config.py
+++ b/esphome/core/config.py
@@ -566,7 +566,7 @@ async def to_code(config: ConfigType) -> None:
                 raise vol.Invalid(
                     f"Device '{device_name}' has an area_id '{area_id.id}'"
                     " that does not exist.",
-                    path=[CONF_DEVICES, device_id, CONF_AREA_ID],
+                    path=[CONF_DEVICES, dev_conf[CONF_ID], CONF_AREA_ID],
                 )
             area_id_hash = fnv1a_32bit_hash(area_id.id)
             cg.add(dev.set_area_id(area_id_hash))