diff --git a/esphome/components/sensor/filter.h b/esphome/components/sensor/filter.h
index 516b5e7a897..df2b8c0c422 100644
--- a/esphome/components/sensor/filter.h
+++ b/esphome/components/sensor/filter.h
@@ -346,11 +346,11 @@ uint32_t get_loop_component_start_time();
 template<size_t N> class ValueListFilter : public Filter {
  protected:
   explicit ValueListFilter(std::initializer_list<TemplatableValue<float>> values) {
+    ESPHOME_DEBUG_ASSERT(values.size() == N);
     size_t i = 0;
     for (const auto &v : values) {
       this->values_[i++] = v;
     }
-    ESPHOME_DEBUG_ASSERT(i == N);
   }
 
   /// Check if sensor value matches any configured value (with accuracy rounding)