diff --git a/esphome/components/pipsolar/switch/pipsolar_switch.h b/esphome/components/pipsolar/switch/pipsolar_switch.h
index 11ff6c853a..bb62d4794a 100644
--- a/esphome/components/pipsolar/switch/pipsolar_switch.h
+++ b/esphome/components/pipsolar/switch/pipsolar_switch.h
@@ -9,15 +9,18 @@ namespace pipsolar {
 class Pipsolar;
 class PipsolarSwitch : public switch_::Switch, public Component {
  public:
-  void set_parent(Pipsolar *parent) { this->parent_ = parent; };
-  void set_on_command(const std::string &command) { this->on_command_ = command; };
-  void set_off_command(const std::string &command) { this->off_command_ = command; };
+  void set_parent(Pipsolar *parent) { this->parent_ = parent; }
+  void set_on_command(const char *command) { this->on_command_ = command; }
+  void set_off_command(const char *command) { this->off_command_ = command; }
+  /// Prevent accidental use of std::string which would dangle
+  void set_on_command(const std::string &command) = delete;
+  void set_off_command(const std::string &command) = delete;
   void dump_config() override;
 
  protected:
   void write_state(bool state) override;
-  std::string on_command_;
-  std::string off_command_;
+  const char *on_command_{nullptr};
+  const char *off_command_{nullptr};
   Pipsolar *parent_;
 };