diff --git a/esphome/components/i2s_audio/__init__.py b/esphome/components/i2s_audio/__init__.py
index 1cd2e97a5e..65b09b93f6 100644
--- a/esphome/components/i2s_audio/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/i2s_audio/__init__.py
@@ -281,6 +281,8 @@ async def to_code(config):
 
     if use_legacy():
         cg.add_define("USE_I2S_LEGACY")
+        # Legacy I2S API lives in the "driver" shim component (driver/i2s.h)
+        include_builtin_idf_component("driver")
 
     # Helps avoid callbacks being skipped due to processor load
     add_idf_sdkconfig_option("CONFIG_I2S_ISR_IRAM_SAFE", True)