diff --git a/esphome/components/mdns/__init__.py b/esphome/components/mdns/__init__.py
index 61fc1e196a..3054b76d67 100644
--- a/esphome/components/mdns/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/mdns/__init__.py
@@ -123,8 +123,9 @@ async def to_code(config):
     if "api" in CORE.config:
         # Always: get_mac_address()
         dynamic_txt_count += 1
-        # Conditional: friendly_name (if not empty, but we conservatively count it)
-        dynamic_txt_count += 1
+        # Conditional: friendly_name (if not empty)
+        if CORE.friendly_name:
+            dynamic_txt_count += 1
         # Conditional: dashboard_import_url
         if "dashboard_import" in CORE.config:
             dynamic_txt_count += 1