diff --git a/.changeset/fast-crews-smash.md b/.changeset/fast-crews-smash.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..9281f3cf2d9f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/fast-crews-smash.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'@sveltejs/kit': patch
+---
+
+fix: avoid preload if event default was prevented for `touchstart` and `mousedown` events
diff --git a/packages/kit/src/runtime/client/client.js b/packages/kit/src/runtime/client/client.js
index 432c7165fb02..e5f41e66308d 100644
--- a/packages/kit/src/runtime/client/client.js
+++ b/packages/kit/src/runtime/client/client.js
@@ -1529,6 +1529,7 @@ function setup_preload() {
 
 	/** @param {Event} event */
 	function tap(event) {
+		if (event.defaultPrevented) return;
 		preload(/** @type {Element} */ (event.composedPath()[0]), 1);
 	}