Local HDMI Audio failing after connecting from VNC

[mikesuch]

Hi,
Searched for this online but not having much luck. I have a PI 4 that I have connected to a TV via HDMI. Audio generally works perfectly as long as I don't connect to it remotely using the VNC server that comes with the Raspberry PI OS. Note that I use audio through HDMI not the a/v jack.

My Rasbberry PI os version is: Linux raspberrypi 6.1.21-v8+ #1642 SMP PREEMPT Mon Apr 3 17:24:16 BST 2023 aarch64.
VNC Server version is: realvnc-vnc-server 7.0.1.49073 arm64 VNC® Server

So far I've found 2 ways to bring back sound:
(1) if I reboot the PI sound comes back.
(2) If I open the preferences -> Screen Configuration and change the resolution sound comes back. (no reboot necessary)

While I have a work around, my desired state is to not have the audio go away.

Appreciate any ideas.
thx
Mike