package libvte-common 1:0.28.2-5ubuntu1 failed to install/upgrade: Package is in a very bad inconsistent state - you should reinstall it before attempting a removal.

[Solomon Hursey]

Perhaps in connection with this, I've been having difficulties installing updates and other packages.

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 13.04
Package: libvte-common 1:0.28.2-5ubuntu1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.8.0-19.30-generic 3.8.8
Uname: Linux 3.8.0-19-generic i686
ApportVersion: 2.9.2-0ubuntu8
Architecture: i386
Date: Wed May 8 09:00:10 2013
Dependencies:

DpkgTerminalLog:
 Removing libvte9 ...
 dpkg: error processing libvte-common (--remove):
  Package is in a very bad inconsistent state - you should
  reinstall it before attempting a removal.
DuplicateSignature:
 Removing libvte9 ...
 dpkg: error processing libvte-common (--remove):
  Package is in a very bad inconsistent state - you should
ErrorMessage: Package is in a very bad inconsistent state - you should reinstall it before attempting a removal.
MarkForUpload: True
PackageArchitecture: all
SourcePackage: vte
Title: package libvte-common 1:0.28.2-5ubuntu1 failed to install/upgrade: Package is in a very bad inconsistent state - you should reinstall it before attempting a removal.
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to raring on 2013-04-29 (8 days ago)