package python2.7-minimal 2.7.15~rc1-1ubuntu0.1 failed to install/upgrade: installed python2.7-minimal package post-installation script subprocess returned error exit status 1

[bornagainpenguin]

Trying to perform update when the entire process stopped with an error.

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 18.04
Package: python2.7-minimal 2.7.15~rc1-1ubuntu0.1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.15.0-29.31-generic 4.15.18
Uname: Linux 4.15.0-29-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: wl
ApportVersion: 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.5
Architecture: amd64
Date: Mon Feb 11 22:00:48 2019
DuplicateSignature:
 package:python2.7-minimal:2.7.15~rc1-1ubuntu0.1
 Setting up python2.7-minimal (2.7.15~rc1-1ubuntu0.1) ...
 Sorry: TypeError: compile() expected string without null bytes
 dpkg: error processing package python2.7-minimal (--configure):
  installed python2.7-minimal package post-installation script subprocess returned error exit status 1
ErrorMessage: installed python2.7-minimal package post-installation script subprocess returned error exit status 1
InstallationDate: Installed on 2019-02-12 (0 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu-MATE 18.04.1 LTS "Bionic Beaver" - Release amd64 (20180725)
Python3Details: /usr/bin/python3.6, Python 3.6.7, python3-minimal, 3.6.7-1~18.04
PythonDetails: /usr/bin/python2.7, Python 2.7.15rc1, python-minimal, 2.7.15~rc1-1
RelatedPackageVersions:
 dpkg 1.19.0.5ubuntu2.1
 apt 1.6.8
SourcePackage: python2.7
Title: package python2.7-minimal 2.7.15~rc1-1ubuntu0.1 failed to install/upgrade: installed python2.7-minimal package post-installation script subprocess returned error exit status 1
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)