diff --git a/esphome/components/sensor/sensor.h b/esphome/components/sensor/sensor.h
index e6ec9b86d3..98356c943d 100644
--- a/esphome/components/sensor/sensor.h
+++ b/esphome/components/sensor/sensor.h
@@ -143,7 +143,7 @@ class Sensor : public EntityBase, public EntityBase_DeviceClass, public EntityBa
    *
    * @deprecated Do not use for new sensors, a suitable unique ID is automatically generated (2023.4).
    */
-  std::string unique_id() override;
+  virtual std::string unique_id();
 
   void internal_send_state_to_frontend(float state);
 
diff --git a/esphome/components/text_sensor/text_sensor.h b/esphome/components/text_sensor/text_sensor.h
index fc7716fe0c..bd72ea70e3 100644
--- a/esphome/components/text_sensor/text_sensor.h
+++ b/esphome/components/text_sensor/text_sensor.h
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ class TextSensor : public EntityBase, public EntityBase_DeviceClass {
    *
    * @deprecated Do not use for new sensors, a suitable unique ID is automatically generated (2023.4).
    */
-  std::string unique_id() override;
+  virtual std::string unique_id();
 
   bool has_state();
 
diff --git a/esphome/core/entity_base.h b/esphome/core/entity_base.h
index f778de1514..4ca21f9ee5 100644
--- a/esphome/core/entity_base.h
+++ b/esphome/core/entity_base.h
@@ -29,10 +29,6 @@ class EntityBase {
   // Get the unique Object ID of this Entity
   uint32_t get_object_id_hash();
 
-  // Get the unique ID for this entity, can be overridden by entities
-  // that need custom unique IDs
-  virtual std::string unique_id() { return ""; }
-
   // Get/set whether this Entity should be hidden from outside of ESPHome
   bool is_internal() const;
   void set_internal(bool internal);