diff --git a/docs/CHANGELOG.md b/docs/CHANGELOG.md
index a0cf18b43..4e6a11460 100644
--- a/docs/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/docs/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -10,6 +10,10 @@ nav_order: 6
 
 ## main
 
+* Return `html_safe` empty string from `render_in` when `render?` is false.
+
+    *Copilot*
+
 ## 4.5.0
 
 * Fix initialization ordering issue causing missing asset errors in Sprockets.
diff --git a/lib/view_component/base.rb b/lib/view_component/base.rb
index 5fee45ea1..b251991d7 100644
--- a/lib/view_component/base.rb
+++ b/lib/view_component/base.rb
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ def render_in(view_context, &block)
 
         value
       else
-        ""
+        "".html_safe
       end
     ensure
       view_context.instance_variable_set(:@virtual_path, @old_virtual_path)
diff --git a/test/sandbox/test/rendering_test.rb b/test/sandbox/test/rendering_test.rb
index c57bf6ee7..b394bba4d 100644
--- a/test/sandbox/test/rendering_test.rb
+++ b/test/sandbox/test/rendering_test.rb
@@ -877,6 +877,12 @@ def test_does_not_render_passed_in_content_if_render_is_false
     assert total < 1
   end
 
+  def test_render_in_returns_html_safe_string_when_render_is_false
+    render_inline(ConditionalRenderComponent.new(should_render: false))
+
+    assert_predicate @rendered_content, :html_safe?
+  end
+
   def test_collection_parameter_does_not_require_compile
     dynamic_component =
       Class.new(ViewComponent::Base) do