diff --git a/esphome/components/ethernet/__init__.py b/esphome/components/ethernet/__init__.py
index fe358f293d..d9f51c677e 100644
--- a/esphome/components/ethernet/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/ethernet/__init__.py
@@ -450,8 +450,8 @@ def _final_validate_spi(config):
                 interface = get_spi_interface(index)
                 if interface == spi_host:
                     raise cv.Invalid(
-                        f"this and an `spi` component are both using interface '{interface}'. "
-                        f"To use {config[CONF_TYPE]}, you must change the `interface` on one of these."
+                        f"The `ethernet` and `spi` components are both using interface '{interface}'. "
+                        f"To use {config[CONF_TYPE]}, change the `interface` on either `ethernet:` or `spi:`."
                     )
 
 
diff --git a/tests/components/ethernet/test-w5500.esp32-idf.yaml b/tests/components/ethernet/test-w5500.esp32-idf.yaml
index 486c533759..f1551fef60 100644
--- a/tests/components/ethernet/test-w5500.esp32-idf.yaml
+++ b/tests/components/ethernet/test-w5500.esp32-idf.yaml
@@ -12,4 +12,9 @@ ethernet:
     gateway: 192.168.178.1
     subnet: 255.255.255.0
   domain: .local
+  mac_address: "02:AA:BB:CC:DD:01"
   interface: spi2
+  on_connect:
+    - logger.log: "Ethernet connected!"
+  on_disconnect:
+    - logger.log: "Ethernet disconnected!"