package dpkg-dev 1.17.5ubuntu5.3 failed to install/upgrade: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration

[gregb49]

I was using the software updater when this bug occurred

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 14.04
Package: dpkg-dev 1.17.5ubuntu5.3
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.16.0-31.43~14.04.1-generic 3.16.7-ckt5
Uname: Linux 3.16.0-31-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.14.1-0ubuntu3.7
Architecture: amd64
Date: Mon Mar 16 18:51:52 2015
DuplicateSignature: package:dpkg-dev:1.17.5ubuntu5.3:package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration
ErrorMessage: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration
InstallationDate: Installed on 2015-03-15 (1 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Mythbuntu 14.04.2 LTS "Trusty Tahr" - Release amd64 (20150218.1)
PackageArchitecture: all
SourcePackage: dpkg
Title: package dpkg-dev 1.17.5ubuntu5.3 failed to install/upgrade: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)
modified.conffile..etc.dpkg.shlibs.default: [deleted]
modified.conffile..etc.dpkg.shlibs.override: [deleted]

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

Status changed to 'Confirmed' because the bug affects multiple users.