diff --git a/esphome/components/mcp4461/output/__init__.py b/esphome/components/mcp4461/output/__init__.py
index 195122f655..db7ef2dbaa 100644
--- a/esphome/components/mcp4461/output/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/mcp4461/output/__init__.py
@@ -53,6 +53,6 @@ async def to_code(config):
         config[CONF_TERMINAL_W],
     )
     if CONF_INITIAL_VALUE in config:
-        cg.add(var.set_initial_value(config[CONF_INITIAL_VALUE]))
+        cg.add(parent.set_initial_value(config[CONF_INITIAL_VALUE]))
     await output.register_output(var, config)
     await cg.register_parented(var, config[CONF_MCP4461_ID])