diff --git a/esphome/components/uart/uart_esp8266.cpp b/esphome/components/uart/uart_esp8266.cpp
index 6f7d4c1f8b..c45f48644c 100644
--- a/esphome/components/uart/uart_esp8266.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/uart/uart_esp8266.cpp
@@ -242,9 +242,9 @@ void ICACHE_RAM_ATTR HOT ESP8266SoftwareSerial::write_byte(uint8_t data) {
   bool parity_bit = false;
   bool need_parity_bit = true;
   if (this->parity_ == UART_CONFIG_PARITY_EVEN)
-    parity_bit = true;
-  else if (this->parity_ == UART_CONFIG_PARITY_ODD)
     parity_bit = false;
+  else if (this->parity_ == UART_CONFIG_PARITY_ODD)
+    parity_bit = true;
   else
     need_parity_bit = false;