diff --git a/esphome/components/safe_mode/__init__.py b/esphome/components/safe_mode/__init__.py
index 9944d71722..d1754aaad7 100644
--- a/esphome/components/safe_mode/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/safe_mode/__init__.py
@@ -59,9 +59,11 @@ async def to_code(config):
         var = cg.new_Pvariable(config[CONF_ID])
         await cg.register_component(var, config)
 
-        for conf in config.get(CONF_ON_SAFE_MODE, []):
-            trigger = cg.new_Pvariable(conf[CONF_TRIGGER_ID], var)
-            await automation.build_automation(trigger, [], conf)
+        if on_safe_mode_config := config.get(CONF_ON_SAFE_MODE):
+            cg.add_define("USE_SAFE_MODE_CALLBACK")
+            for conf in on_safe_mode_config:
+                trigger = cg.new_Pvariable(conf[CONF_TRIGGER_ID], var)
+                await automation.build_automation(trigger, [], conf)
 
         condition = var.should_enter_safe_mode(
             config[CONF_NUM_ATTEMPTS],
diff --git a/esphome/components/safe_mode/automation.h b/esphome/components/safe_mode/automation.h
index 1ffa86a588..952ed4da33 100644
--- a/esphome/components/safe_mode/automation.h
+++ b/esphome/components/safe_mode/automation.h
@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
 #pragma once
+#include "esphome/core/defines.h"
+
+#ifdef USE_SAFE_MODE_CALLBACK
 #include "safe_mode.h"
 
 #include "esphome/core/automation.h"
 
-namespace esphome {
-namespace safe_mode {
+namespace esphome::safe_mode {
 
 class SafeModeTrigger : public Trigger<> {
  public:
@@ -13,5 +15,6 @@ class SafeModeTrigger : public Trigger<> {
   }
 };
 
-}  // namespace safe_mode
-}  // namespace esphome
+}  // namespace esphome::safe_mode
+
+#endif  // USE_SAFE_MODE_CALLBACK
diff --git a/esphome/components/safe_mode/safe_mode.cpp b/esphome/components/safe_mode/safe_mode.cpp
index c7bd8748f5..ef6ebea247 100644
--- a/esphome/components/safe_mode/safe_mode.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/safe_mode/safe_mode.cpp
@@ -13,8 +13,7 @@
 #include <esp_ota_ops.h>
 #endif
 
-namespace esphome {
-namespace safe_mode {
+namespace esphome::safe_mode {
 
 static const char *const TAG = "safe_mode";
 
@@ -126,7 +125,9 @@ bool SafeModeComponent::should_enter_safe_mode(uint8_t num_attempts, uint32_t en
 
   ESP_LOGW(TAG, "SAFE MODE IS ACTIVE");
 
+#ifdef USE_SAFE_MODE_CALLBACK
   this->safe_mode_callback_.call();
+#endif
 
   return true;
 }
@@ -157,5 +158,4 @@ void SafeModeComponent::on_safe_shutdown() {
     this->clean_rtc();
 }
 
-}  // namespace safe_mode
-}  // namespace esphome
+}  // namespace esphome::safe_mode
diff --git a/esphome/components/safe_mode/safe_mode.h b/esphome/components/safe_mode/safe_mode.h
index 028b7b11cb..4aefd11458 100644
--- a/esphome/components/safe_mode/safe_mode.h
+++ b/esphome/components/safe_mode/safe_mode.h
@@ -5,8 +5,7 @@
 #include "esphome/core/helpers.h"
 #include "esphome/core/preferences.h"
 
-namespace esphome {
-namespace safe_mode {
+namespace esphome::safe_mode {
 
 /// SafeModeComponent provides a safe way to recover from repeated boot failures
 class SafeModeComponent : public Component {
@@ -25,9 +24,11 @@ class SafeModeComponent : public Component {
 
   void on_safe_shutdown() override;
 
+#ifdef USE_SAFE_MODE_CALLBACK
   void add_on_safe_mode_callback(std::function<void()> &&callback) {
     this->safe_mode_callback_.add(std::move(callback));
   }
+#endif
 
  protected:
   void write_rtc_(uint32_t val);
@@ -43,11 +44,12 @@ class SafeModeComponent : public Component {
   uint8_t safe_mode_num_attempts_{0};
   // Larger objects at the end
   ESPPreferenceObject rtc_;
+#ifdef USE_SAFE_MODE_CALLBACK
   CallbackManager<void()> safe_mode_callback_{};
+#endif
 
   static const uint32_t ENTER_SAFE_MODE_MAGIC =
       0x5afe5afe;  ///< a magic number to indicate that safe mode should be entered on next boot
 };
 
-}  // namespace safe_mode
-}  // namespace esphome
+}  // namespace esphome::safe_mode
diff --git a/esphome/core/defines.h b/esphome/core/defines.h
index adb2921b68..ed5f152e9f 100644
--- a/esphome/core/defines.h
+++ b/esphome/core/defines.h
@@ -100,6 +100,7 @@
 #define USE_OUTPUT
 #define USE_POWER_SUPPLY
 #define USE_QR_CODE
+#define USE_SAFE_MODE_CALLBACK
 #define USE_SELECT
 #define USE_SENSOR
 #define USE_STATUS_LED