ubuntu-bug refuses to file bug reports for packages that aren't installed due to packaging problems

[Tessa]

Ubuntu-bug makes it very difficult to file package problem bugs for packages that won't install (due to said problems), because it refuses to open a bug for a package that isn't installed. If a package isn't installed, I'd recommend that ubuntu-bug collect information about the package and its dependencies as seen from the local apt cache, as well as any conflicts that prevent it from being installed.

ProblemType: Bug
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 12.04
Package: apport 2.0.1-0ubuntu7
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.2.0-24.37-generic 3.2.14
Uname: Linux 3.2.0-24-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia
ApportLog:

ApportVersion: 2.0.1-0ubuntu7
Architecture: amd64
Date: Wed May 9 13:49:29 2012
PackageArchitecture: all
ProcEnviron:
 TERM=xterm
 PATH=(custom, user)
 LANG=en_CA.UTF-8
 SHELL=/bin/bash
SourcePackage: apport
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to precise on 2012-05-02 (7 days ago)

[Marcus Tomlinson (marcustomlinson)]

This release of Ubuntu is no longer receiving maintenance updates. If this is still an issue on a maintained version of Ubuntu please let us know.

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

[Expired for apport (Ubuntu) because there has been no activity for 60 days.]

[Tessa (unit3)]

as far as I can tell, this is still an issue on Ubuntu 20.04.

[Brian Murray (brian-murray)]

On Ubuntu 20.04 LTS I was able to run 'ubuntu-bug weechat', a package which I do not have installed, and a browser tab for reporting the bug was opened. Could you explain how this is not working for you?

[Tessa (unit3)]

@brian-murray: oh! when I first tried it after upgrading, it didn't spawn the details window or open the web browser link or anything. it appears to be working now, so it must've just been a fluke. definitely looks better!