diff --git a/esphome/components/servo/servo.h b/esphome/components/servo/servo.h
index 19165be23d..a37188740c 100644
--- a/esphome/components/servo/servo.h
+++ b/esphome/components/servo/servo.h
@@ -36,11 +36,11 @@ class Servo : public Component {
       this->rtc_ = global_preferences.make_preference<float>(global_servo_id);
       global_servo_id++;
       if (this->rtc_.load(&v)) {
-        this->write(v);
+        this->output_->set_level(v);
         return;
       }
     }
-    this->write(0.0f);
+    this->detach();
   }
   void dump_config() override;
   float get_setup_priority() const override { return setup_priority::DATA; }