diff --git a/esphome/components/socket/socket.cpp b/esphome/components/socket/socket.cpp
index cc3f3ec417..fe65f35167 100644
--- a/esphome/components/socket/socket.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/socket/socket.cpp
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ bool Socket::ready() const {
     return true;
   }
 
+#if (defined(USE_SOCKET_IMPL_LWIP_SOCKETS) || defined(USE_SOCKET_IMPL_BSD_SOCKETS)) && defined(FD_SETSIZE)
   // For loop-monitored sockets, check with the Application's select() results
   int fd = this->get_fd();
   if (fd < 0) {
@@ -25,6 +26,11 @@ bool Socket::ready() const {
   }
 
   return App.is_socket_ready(fd);
+#else
+  // Without select() support, we can't monitor sockets in the loop
+  // Always return true (assume data may be available)
+  return true;
+#endif
 }
 
 std::unique_ptr<Socket> socket_ip(int type, int protocol) {
diff --git a/esphome/core/application.cpp b/esphome/core/application.cpp
index 302bfa4880..b9ab02a0e1 100644
--- a/esphome/core/application.cpp
+++ b/esphome/core/application.cpp
@@ -247,19 +247,18 @@ void Application::calculate_looping_components_() {
   }
 }
 
+#if (defined(USE_SOCKET_IMPL_LWIP_SOCKETS) || defined(USE_SOCKET_IMPL_BSD_SOCKETS)) && defined(FD_SETSIZE)
 bool Application::register_socket_fd(int fd) {
   // WARNING: This function is NOT thread-safe and must only be called from the main loop
   // It modifies socket_fds_ and related variables without locking
   if (fd < 0)
     return false;
 
-#if (defined(USE_SOCKET_IMPL_LWIP_SOCKETS) || defined(USE_SOCKET_IMPL_BSD_SOCKETS)) && defined(FD_SETSIZE)
   if (fd >= FD_SETSIZE) {
     ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Cannot monitor socket fd %d: exceeds FD_SETSIZE (%d)", fd, FD_SETSIZE);
     ESP_LOGE(TAG, "Socket will not be monitored for data - may cause performance issues!");
     return false;
   }
-#endif
 
   this->socket_fds_.insert(fd);
   this->socket_fds_changed_ = true;
@@ -292,16 +291,12 @@ bool Application::is_socket_ready(int fd) const {
   // This function is thread-safe for reading the result of select()
   // However, it should only be called after select() has been executed in the main loop
   // The read_fds_ is only modified by select() in the main loop
-#if (defined(USE_SOCKET_IMPL_LWIP_SOCKETS) || defined(USE_SOCKET_IMPL_BSD_SOCKETS)) && defined(FD_SETSIZE)
   if (fd < 0 || fd >= FD_SETSIZE)
     return false;
 
   return FD_ISSET(fd, &this->read_fds_);
-#else
-  // If we don't have select support, assume socket is always ready
-  return true;
-#endif
 }
+#endif
 
 Application App;  // NOLINT(cppcoreguidelines-avoid-non-const-global-variables)
 
diff --git a/esphome/core/application.h b/esphome/core/application.h
index d1b61d2bde..91d252c6cd 100644
--- a/esphome/core/application.h
+++ b/esphome/core/application.h
@@ -469,6 +469,7 @@ class Application {
   Scheduler scheduler;
 
   /// Register/unregister a socket file descriptor to be monitored for read events.
+#if (defined(USE_SOCKET_IMPL_LWIP_SOCKETS) || defined(USE_SOCKET_IMPL_BSD_SOCKETS)) && defined(FD_SETSIZE)
   /// These functions update the fd_set used by select() in the main loop.
   /// WARNING: These functions are NOT thread-safe. They must only be called from the main loop.
   /// NOTE: File descriptors >= FD_SETSIZE (typically 10 on ESP) will be rejected with an error.
@@ -478,6 +479,7 @@ class Application {
   /// Check if there's data available on a socket without blocking
   /// This function is thread-safe for reading, but should be called after select() has run
   bool is_socket_ready(int fd) const;
+#endif
 
  protected:
   friend Component;