diff --git a/esphome/components/pulse_counter/pulse_counter_sensor.h b/esphome/components/pulse_counter/pulse_counter_sensor.h
index d9be79e403..ef944f106f 100644
--- a/esphome/components/pulse_counter/pulse_counter_sensor.h
+++ b/esphome/components/pulse_counter/pulse_counter_sensor.h
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ class PulseCounterSensor : public sensor::Sensor, public PollingComponent {
   PulseCounterStorageBase &storage_;
   uint32_t last_time_{0};
   uint32_t current_total_{0};
-  sensor::Sensor *total_sensor_;
+  sensor::Sensor *total_sensor_{nullptr};
 };
 
 }  // namespace pulse_counter