package python3-numpy (not installed) failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed pre-removal script returned error exit status 127

[Edwin Janssen]

bug showed up during installation of software center

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 16.04
Package: python3-numpy (not installed)
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.13.0-39.44~16.04.1-generic 4.13.16
Uname: Linux 4.13.0-39-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: wl
ApportVersion: 2.20.1-0ubuntu2.16
Architecture: amd64
Date: Fri May 4 12:42:50 2018
DuplicateSignature:
 package:python3-numpy:(not installed)
 Removing python3-numpy (1:1.11.0-1ubuntu1) ...
 /var/lib/dpkg/info/python3-numpy.prerm: 6: /var/lib/dpkg/info/python3-numpy.prerm: py3clean: not found
 dpkg: error processing package python3-numpy (--remove):
  subprocess installed pre-removal script returned error exit status 127
ErrorMessage: subprocess installed pre-removal script returned error exit status 127
InstallationDate: Installed on 2018-04-19 (18 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 16.04.4 LTS "Xenial Xerus" - Release amd64 (20180228)
RelatedPackageVersions:
 dpkg 1.18.4ubuntu1.4
 apt 1.2.26
SourcePackage: python-numpy
Title: package python3-numpy (not installed) failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed pre-removal script returned error exit status 127
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)