Hi Eric, I may have a clue on reproducing the problem:
Try aborting apt-get or aptitude midway through a download and then re-try. This is seems to trigger the problem here. Tim ##################################################################### CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE The information contained in this email is confidential and may also be privileged. It is intended to be for the exclusive use of the addressee(s) and access to it by any other person is unauthorised. If you are not the addressee please note that you must not distribute, copy, circulate or in any other way use or rely on the information contained in this email. If you have received this email in error please notify us by phone (+44 (0)870 445 1445) and then destroy the email and any copies of it. ######################################################################