Method and apparatus for tracking a prefetch list of a list prefetcher associated with a computer program in the event the list prefetcher cannot track the computer program. During a first execution of a computer program, the computer program outputs checkpoint indications. Also during the first execution of the computer program, a list prefetcher builds a prefetch list for subsequent executions of the computer program. As the computer program executes for the first time, the list prefetcher associates each checkpoint indication with a location in the building prefetch list. Upon subsequent executions of the computer program, if the list prefetcher cannot track the prefetch list to the computer program, the list prefetcher waits until the computer program outputs the next checkpoint indication. The list prefetcher is then able to jump to the location of the prefetch list associated with the checkpoint indication.