diff --git a/esphome/components/lvgl/widgets/img.py b/esphome/components/lvgl/widgets/img.py
index 59b2c97c63..46077190d0 100644
--- a/esphome/components/lvgl/widgets/img.py
+++ b/esphome/components/lvgl/widgets/img.py
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ class ImgType(WidgetType):
         if CONF_ANTIALIAS in config:
             lv.img_set_antialias(w.obj, config[CONF_ANTIALIAS])
         if mode := config.get(CONF_MODE):
-            lv.img_set_mode(w.obj, mode)
+            await w.set_property("size_mode", mode)
 
 
 img_spec = ImgType()
diff --git a/tests/components/lvgl/lvgl-package.yaml b/tests/components/lvgl/lvgl-package.yaml
index 4b7e13db91..556ce105ee 100644
--- a/tests/components/lvgl/lvgl-package.yaml
+++ b/tests/components/lvgl/lvgl-package.yaml
@@ -451,6 +451,7 @@ lvgl:
             src: cat_image
             align: top_left
             y: "50"
+            mode: real
         - tileview:
             id: tileview_id
             scrollbar_mode: active
@@ -647,6 +648,7 @@ lvgl:
                       grid_cell_row_pos: 0
                       grid_cell_column_pos: 0
                       src: !lambda return dog_image;
+                      mode: virtual
                       on_click:
                         then:
                           - lvgl.tabview.select: