Context : The structure of the inner disk of Herbig Be stars is not well understood . The continuum disks of several Herbig Be stars have inner radii that are smaller than predicted by models of irradiated disks with optically thin holes . Aims : We study the size of the inner disk of the Herbig B [ e ] star HD 85567 and compare the model radii with the radius suggested by the size-luminosity relation . Methods : The object was observed with the AMBER instrument of the Very Large Telescope Interferometer . We obtained K -band visibilities and closure phases . These measurements are interpreted with geometric models and temperature-gradient models . Results : Using several types of geometric star-disk and star-disk-halo models , we derived inner ring-fit radii in the K band that are in the range of 0.8–1.6 AU . Additional temperature-gradient modeling resulted in an extended disk with an inner radius of 0.67 ^ { +0.51 } _ { -0.21 } AU , a high inner temperature of 2200 ^ { +750 } _ { -350 } K , and a disk inclination of 53 ^ { +15 } _ { -11 } ° . Conclusions : The derived geometric ring-fit radii are approximately 3–5 times smaller than that predicted by the size-luminosity relation . The small geometric and temperature-gradient radii suggest optically thick gaseous material that absorbs stellar radiation inside the dust disk .