diff --git a/libavutil/utils.c b/libavutil/utils.c
index 8f83c02d83..c157aa8e34 100644
--- a/libavutil/utils.c
+++ b/libavutil/utils.c
@@ -29,6 +29,10 @@
 
 unsigned avutil_version(void)
 {
+    static int checks_done;
+    if (checks_done)
+        return LIBAVUTIL_VERSION_INT;
+
     av_assert0(AV_PIX_FMT_VDA_VLD == 81); //check if the pix fmt enum has not had anything inserted or removed by mistake
     av_assert0(AV_SAMPLE_FMT_DBLP == 9);
     av_assert0(AVMEDIA_TYPE_ATTACHMENT == 4);
@@ -42,7 +46,7 @@ unsigned avutil_version(void)
     }
 
     ff_check_pixfmt_descriptors();
-
+    checks_done = 1;
     return LIBAVUTIL_VERSION_INT;
 }