Multiple network requests for AVPlayer stream url

)We have a hit counter everytime an mp3 file is streamed from the server.

The following code produces 2 network requests on load:

let fileUrl = URL(string: "https://something.mp3")

avPlayer = AVPlayer(url: fileUrl!)

avPlayer.play()

Here is a SO link that describes the behaviour (https://stackoverflow.com/questions/37244956/why-does-swifts-avplayer-loads-the-playeritem-for-twice-on-one-play).

Is there anyway to load the play with one network request?