diff --git a/esphome/components/infrared/infrared.cpp b/esphome/components/infrared/infrared.cpp
index 9b97995a96..5a909738c6 100644
--- a/esphome/components/infrared/infrared.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/infrared/infrared.cpp
@@ -75,8 +75,6 @@ void Infrared::dump_config() {
                 YESNO(this->traits_.get_supports_receiver()));
 }
 
-InfraredCall Infrared::make_call() { return InfraredCall(this); }
-
 void Infrared::control(const InfraredCall &call) {
   if (this->transmitter_ == nullptr) {
     ESP_LOGW(TAG, "No transmitter configured");
diff --git a/esphome/components/infrared/infrared.h b/esphome/components/infrared/infrared.h
index 6d91c97cce..b6863e37ce 100644
--- a/esphome/components/infrared/infrared.h
+++ b/esphome/components/infrared/infrared.h
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ class Infrared : public Component, public EntityBase, public remote_base::Remote
   const InfraredTraits &get_traits() const { return this->traits_; }
 
   /// Create a call object for transmitting
-  InfraredCall make_call();
+  InfraredCall make_call() { return InfraredCall(this); }
 
   /// Get capability flags for this infrared instance
   uint32_t get_capability_flags() const;