diff --git a/homeassistant/components/mqtt/light/schema_json.py b/homeassistant/components/mqtt/light/schema_json.py
index fc76d4bcf6c6..f71a333dbe10 100644
--- a/homeassistant/components/mqtt/light/schema_json.py
+++ b/homeassistant/components/mqtt/light/schema_json.py
@@ -223,6 +223,8 @@ class MqttLightJson(MqttEntity, LightEntity, RestoreEntity):
             # Brightness is supported and no supported_color_modes are set,
             # so set brightness as the supported color mode.
             self._attr_supported_color_modes = {ColorMode.BRIGHTNESS}
+        else:
+            self._attr_supported_color_modes = {ColorMode.ONOFF}
 
     def _update_color(self, values: dict[str, Any]) -> None:
         color_mode: str = values["color_mode"]
diff --git a/tests/components/mqtt/test_light_json.py b/tests/components/mqtt/test_light_json.py
index 7f7f32c4e43a..8c32926e08e8 100644
--- a/tests/components/mqtt/test_light_json.py
+++ b/tests/components/mqtt/test_light_json.py
@@ -182,6 +182,19 @@ class JsonValidator:
         return json_loads(self.jsondata) == json_loads(other)
 
 
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("hass_config", [DEFAULT_CONFIG])
+async def test_simple_on_off_light(
+    hass: HomeAssistant,
+    mqtt_mock_entry: MqttMockHAClientGenerator,
+    caplog: pytest.LogCaptureFixture,
+) -> None:
+    """Test if setup fails with no command topic."""
+    assert await mqtt_mock_entry()
+    state = hass.states.get("light.test")
+    assert state and state.state == STATE_UNKNOWN
+    assert state.attributes["supported_color_modes"] == ["onoff"]
+
+
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
     "hass_config", [{mqtt.DOMAIN: {light.DOMAIN: {"schema": "json", "name": "test"}}}]
 )