diff --git a/zha/application/platforms/light/__init__.py b/zha/application/platforms/light/__init__.py
index 04001636..a23a88de 100644
--- a/zha/application/platforms/light/__init__.py
+++ b/zha/application/platforms/light/__init__.py
@@ -665,7 +665,7 @@ def __init__(
         if self._color_cluster_handler:
             self._min_mireds: int = self._color_cluster_handler.min_mireds
             self._max_mireds: int = self._color_cluster_handler.max_mireds
-        effect_list = [EFFECT_OFF]
+        effect_list = []
 
         light_options = device.gateway.config.config.light_options
 
@@ -714,7 +714,7 @@ def __init__(
             self._supported_features |= LightEntityFeature.FLASH
 
         if effect_list:
-            self._effect_list = effect_list
+            self._effect_list = [EFFECT_OFF, *effect_list]
 
         self._zha_config_transition = light_options.default_light_transition
         self._zha_config_enhanced_light_transition = (