diff --git a/esphome/core/scheduler.cpp b/esphome/core/scheduler.cpp
index 09d50ee7c8..352587bf10 100644
--- a/esphome/core/scheduler.cpp
+++ b/esphome/core/scheduler.cpp
@@ -359,8 +359,7 @@ void HOT Scheduler::call(uint32_t now) {
       std::unique_ptr<SchedulerItem> item;
       {
         LockGuard guard{this->lock_};
-        item = std::move(this->items_[0]);
-        this->pop_raw_();
+        item = this->pop_raw_locked_();
       }
 
       const char *name = item->get_name();
@@ -401,7 +400,7 @@ void HOT Scheduler::call(uint32_t now) {
     // Don't run on failed components
     if (item->component != nullptr && item->component->is_failed()) {
       LockGuard guard{this->lock_};
-      this->pop_raw_();
+      this->recycle_item_(this->pop_raw_locked_());
       continue;
     }
 
@@ -414,7 +413,7 @@ void HOT Scheduler::call(uint32_t now) {
     {
       LockGuard guard{this->lock_};
       if (is_item_removed_(item.get())) {
-        this->pop_raw_();
+        this->recycle_item_(this->pop_raw_locked_());
         this->to_remove_--;
         continue;
       }
@@ -423,7 +422,7 @@ void HOT Scheduler::call(uint32_t now) {
     // Single-threaded or multi-threaded with atomics: can check without lock
     if (is_item_removed_(item.get())) {
       LockGuard guard{this->lock_};
-      this->pop_raw_();
+      this->recycle_item_(this->pop_raw_locked_());
       this->to_remove_--;
       continue;
     }
@@ -443,14 +442,14 @@ void HOT Scheduler::call(uint32_t now) {
 
     LockGuard guard{this->lock_};
 
-    auto executed_item = std::move(this->items_[0]);
     // Only pop after function call, this ensures we were reachable
     // during the function call and know if we were cancelled.
-    this->pop_raw_();
+    auto executed_item = this->pop_raw_locked_();
 
     if (executed_item->remove) {
-      // We were removed/cancelled in the function call, stop
+      // We were removed/cancelled in the function call, recycle and continue
       this->to_remove_--;
+      this->recycle_item_(std::move(executed_item));
       continue;
     }
 
@@ -497,7 +496,7 @@ size_t HOT Scheduler::cleanup_() {
     return this->items_.size();
 
   // We must hold the lock for the entire cleanup operation because:
-  // 1. We're modifying items_ (via pop_raw_) which requires exclusive access
+  // 1. We're modifying items_ (via pop_raw_locked_) which requires exclusive access
   // 2. We're decrementing to_remove_ which is also modified by other threads
   //    (though all modifications are already under lock)
   // 3. Other threads read items_ when searching for items to cancel in cancel_item_locked_()
@@ -510,17 +509,18 @@ size_t HOT Scheduler::cleanup_() {
     if (!item->remove)
       break;
     this->to_remove_--;
-    this->pop_raw_();
+    this->recycle_item_(this->pop_raw_locked_());
   }
   return this->items_.size();
 }
-void HOT Scheduler::pop_raw_() {
+std::unique_ptr<Scheduler::SchedulerItem> HOT Scheduler::pop_raw_locked_() {
   std::pop_heap(this->items_.begin(), this->items_.end(), SchedulerItem::cmp);
 
-  // Instead of destroying, recycle the item
-  this->recycle_item_(std::move(this->items_.back()));
+  // Move the item out before popping - this is the item that was at the front of the heap
+  auto item = std::move(this->items_.back());
 
   this->items_.pop_back();
+  return item;
 }
 
 // Helper to execute a scheduler item
diff --git a/esphome/core/scheduler.h b/esphome/core/scheduler.h
index bea1503df0..08e003c9fb 100644
--- a/esphome/core/scheduler.h
+++ b/esphome/core/scheduler.h
@@ -219,7 +219,9 @@ class Scheduler {
   // Returns the number of items remaining after cleanup
   // IMPORTANT: This method should only be called from the main thread (loop task).
   size_t cleanup_();
-  void pop_raw_();
+  // Remove and return the front item from the heap
+  // IMPORTANT: Caller must hold the scheduler lock before calling this function.
+  std::unique_ptr<SchedulerItem> pop_raw_locked_();
 
  private:
   // Helper to cancel items by name - must be called with lock held