diff --git a/esphome/arduino8266/toolchain.py b/esphome/arduino8266/toolchain.py
index a7d77737e0..0cf20d47dc 100644
--- a/esphome/arduino8266/toolchain.py
+++ b/esphome/arduino8266/toolchain.py
@@ -93,8 +93,11 @@ def run_compile(config: ConfigType, verbose: bool) -> int:
     _print_size_summary(build_dir)
     try:
         idedata = get_idedata()
-    except EsphomeError as err:
-        # The firmware already built; idedata is a bonus artifact here
+    except (EsphomeError, OSError, RuntimeError, ValueError) as err:
+        # The firmware already built; idedata is a bonus artifact here.
+        # Broad on purpose: a vanished compiler (OSError), a failed include
+        # probe (RuntimeError), or a truncated compile DB (ValueError) must
+        # not fail a successful build either.
         _LOGGER.warning("Could not generate idedata: %s", err)
     else:
         if idedata is None: