diff --git a/layer4/routes.go b/layer4/routes.go
index 9d3ff75..b8ac942 100644
--- a/layer4/routes.go
+++ b/layer4/routes.go
@@ -157,6 +157,10 @@ func (routes RouteList) Compile(logger *zap.Logger, matchingTimeout time.Duratio
 				if errors.Is(err, ErrConsumedAllPrefetchedBytes) {
 					lastNeedsMoreIdx = i
 					routesStatus[i] = routeNeedsMore
+					// the first time a matcher requires more data, exit the loop to force a prefetch
+					if !matcherNeedMore {
+						break
+					}
 					continue // ignore and try next route
 				}
 				if err != nil {