diff --git a/esphome/components/esphome/ota/__init__.py b/esphome/components/esphome/ota/__init__.py
index 3134fadf26..370f50fcbc 100644
--- a/esphome/components/esphome/ota/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/esphome/ota/__init__.py
@@ -27,10 +27,15 @@ CODEOWNERS = ["@esphome/core"]
 DEPENDENCIES = ["network"]
 
 
+def supports_sha256() -> bool:
+    """Check if the current platform supports SHA256 for OTA authentication."""
+    return bool(CORE.is_esp32 or CORE.is_esp8266 or CORE.is_rp2040 or CORE.is_libretiny)
+
+
 def AUTO_LOAD():
     """Conditionally auto-load sha256 only on platforms that support it."""
     base_components = ["md5", "socket"]
-    if CORE.is_esp32 or CORE.is_esp8266 or CORE.is_rp2040 or CORE.is_libretiny:
+    if supports_sha256():
         return base_components + ["sha256"]
     return base_components
 
@@ -136,7 +141,7 @@ async def to_code(config):
     cg.add(var.set_port(config[CONF_PORT]))
 
     # Only include SHA256 support on platforms that have it
-    if CORE.is_esp32 or CORE.is_esp8266 or CORE.is_rp2040 or CORE.is_libretiny:
+    if supports_sha256():
         cg.add_define("USE_OTA_SHA256")
 
     if CONF_PASSWORD in config: