diff --git a/esphome/components/improv_serial/improv_serial_component.cpp b/esphome/components/improv_serial/improv_serial_component.cpp
index 528a155a7f..28245dcfdf 100644
--- a/esphome/components/improv_serial/improv_serial_component.cpp
+++ b/esphome/components/improv_serial/improv_serial_component.cpp
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ bool ImprovSerialComponent::parse_improv_payload_(improv::ImprovCommand &command
     }
     case improv::GET_WIFI_NETWORKS: {
       std::vector<std::string> networks;
-      auto results = wifi::global_wifi_component->get_scan_result();
+      const auto &results = wifi::global_wifi_component->get_scan_result();
       for (auto &scan : results) {
         if (scan.get_is_hidden())
           continue;