diff --git a/esphome/components/climate/climate_traits.h b/esphome/components/climate/climate_traits.h
index 97fb4d0432..1161a54f4e 100644
--- a/esphome/components/climate/climate_traits.h
+++ b/esphome/components/climate/climate_traits.h
@@ -6,13 +6,6 @@
 #include "esphome/core/helpers.h"
 
 namespace esphome {
-
-#ifdef USE_API
-namespace api {
-class APIConnection;
-}  // namespace api
-#endif
-
 namespace climate {
 
 // Type aliases for climate enum bitmasks