diff --git a/homeassistant/helpers/device_registry.py b/homeassistant/helpers/device_registry.py
index cab47258f67..b8e07117377 100644
--- a/homeassistant/helpers/device_registry.py
+++ b/homeassistant/helpers/device_registry.py
@@ -654,10 +654,6 @@ class DeviceRegistry:
         via_device_id: str | None | UndefinedType = UNDEFINED,
     ) -> DeviceEntry | None:
         """Update device attributes."""
-        # Circular dep
-        # pylint: disable-next=import-outside-toplevel
-        from . import area_registry as ar
-
         old = self.devices[device_id]
 
         new_values: dict[str, Any] = {}  # Dict with new key/value pairs
@@ -688,6 +684,10 @@ class DeviceRegistry:
             and area_id is UNDEFINED
             and old.area_id is None
         ):
+            # Circular dep
+            # pylint: disable-next=import-outside-toplevel
+            from . import area_registry as ar
+
             area = ar.async_get(self.hass).async_get_or_create(suggested_area)
             area_id = area.id