diff --git a/esphome/components/sensor/__init__.py b/esphome/components/sensor/__init__.py
index 7e91bb83c4..93283e4d47 100644
--- a/esphome/components/sensor/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/sensor/__init__.py
@@ -878,7 +878,9 @@ async def setup_sensor_core_(var, config):
         cg.add(var.set_unit_of_measurement(unit_of_measurement))
     if (accuracy_decimals := config.get(CONF_ACCURACY_DECIMALS)) is not None:
         cg.add(var.set_accuracy_decimals(accuracy_decimals))
-    cg.add(var.set_force_update(config[CONF_FORCE_UPDATE]))
+    # Only set force_update if True (default is False)
+    if config[CONF_FORCE_UPDATE]:
+        cg.add(var.set_force_update(True))
     if config.get(CONF_FILTERS):  # must exist and not be empty
         filters = await build_filters(config[CONF_FILTERS])
         cg.add(var.set_filters(filters))
diff --git a/esphome/core/entity_helpers.py b/esphome/core/entity_helpers.py
index f0a04b4860..9b4786f835 100644
--- a/esphome/core/entity_helpers.py
+++ b/esphome/core/entity_helpers.py
@@ -105,7 +105,9 @@ async def setup_entity(var: MockObj, config: ConfigType, platform: str) -> None:
         config[CONF_NAME],
         platform,
     )
-    add(var.set_disabled_by_default(config[CONF_DISABLED_BY_DEFAULT]))
+    # Only set disabled_by_default if True (default is False)
+    if config[CONF_DISABLED_BY_DEFAULT]:
+        add(var.set_disabled_by_default(True))
     if CONF_INTERNAL in config:
         add(var.set_internal(config[CONF_INTERNAL]))
     if CONF_ICON in config: