diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/package.py b/lib/spack/spack/package.py
index 40384077ea..9b6f0efb48 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/package.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/package.py
@@ -2011,6 +2011,10 @@ def all_urls(self):
         if hasattr(self, 'url') and self.url:
             urls.append(self.url)
 
+        # fetch from first entry in urls to save time
+        if hasattr(self, 'urls') and self.urls:
+            urls.append(self.urls[0])
+
         for args in self.versions.values():
             if 'url' in args:
                 urls.append(args['url'])