diff --git a/CHANGES/9173.misc.rst b/CHANGES/9173.misc.rst
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..6fcc098747f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/CHANGES/9173.misc.rst
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Improved performance of starting web requests when there is no response prepare hook -- by :user:`bdraco`.
diff --git a/aiohttp/web_request.py b/aiohttp/web_request.py
index f3521153603..f7e511fa477 100644
--- a/aiohttp/web_request.py
+++ b/aiohttp/web_request.py
@@ -915,4 +915,5 @@ async def _prepare_hook(self, response: StreamResponse) -> None:
         if match_info is None:
             return
         for app in match_info._apps:
-            await app.on_response_prepare.send(self, response)
+            if on_response_prepare := app.on_response_prepare:
+                await on_response_prepare.send(self, response)