diff --git a/esphome/core/scheduler.h b/esphome/core/scheduler.h
index ac8ef724c2..b640aa86fe 100644
--- a/esphome/core/scheduler.h
+++ b/esphome/core/scheduler.h
@@ -367,7 +367,7 @@ class Scheduler {
  private:
   // Out-of-line helper that shrinks a SchedulerItem* vector's capacity to its current
   // size. Centralised so trim_freelist() doesn't pay flash cost per call site.
-  static void shrink_scheduler_vector_(std::vector<SchedulerItem *> *v);
+  void shrink_scheduler_vector_(std::vector<SchedulerItem *> *v);
 
   // Helper to cancel matching items - must be called with lock held.
   // When find_first=true, stops after the first match (used by set_timer_common_ where