diff --git a/esphome/core/automation.h b/esphome/core/automation.h
index b41a3555e4..90711cfaee 100644
--- a/esphome/core/automation.h
+++ b/esphome/core/automation.h
@@ -419,16 +419,11 @@ template<typename... Ts> class Action {
 template<typename... Ts> class ActionList {
  public:
   void add_action(Action<Ts...> *action) {
-    if (this->actions_begin_ == nullptr) {
-      this->actions_begin_ = action;
-    } else {
-      // Walk to end of chain - action lists are short and only built during setup().
-      // Note: intentionally not using pointer-to-pointer idiom here as it generates larger code.
-      auto *it = this->actions_begin_;
-      while (it->next_ != nullptr)
-        it = it->next_;
-      it->next_ = action;
-    }
+    // Walk to end of chain - action lists are short and only built during setup()
+    Action<Ts...> **tail = &this->actions_begin_;
+    while (*tail != nullptr)
+      tail = &(*tail)->next_;
+    *tail = action;
   }
   void add_actions(const std::initializer_list<Action<Ts...> *> &actions) {
     // Find tail once, then append all actions in a single pass