diff --git a/esphome/components/bluetooth_proxy/bluetooth_proxy.h b/esphome/components/bluetooth_proxy/bluetooth_proxy.h
index f3a58a8cca..70deef1ebd 100644
--- a/esphome/components/bluetooth_proxy/bluetooth_proxy.h
+++ b/esphome/components/bluetooth_proxy/bluetooth_proxy.h
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ enum BluetoothProxySubscriptionFlag : uint32_t {
 };
 
 class BluetoothProxy : public esp32_ble_tracker::ESPBTDeviceListener, public Component {
+  friend class BluetoothConnection;  // Allow connection to update connections_free_response_
  public:
   BluetoothProxy();
 #ifdef USE_ESP32_BLE_DEVICE