package ifupdown 0.8.17ubuntu1.1 failed to install/upgrade: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration

[Bob MacKnight]

This came about while attempting to insstall VLC from Ubuntu software. The process returned the error and the above summary.

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 18.04
Package: ifupdown 0.8.17ubuntu1.1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.15.0-23.25-generic 4.15.18
Uname: Linux 4.15.0-23-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.2
Architecture: amd64
Date: Mon Jun 25 01:19:12 2018
DuplicateSignature:
 package:ifupdown:0.8.17ubuntu1.1
 Setting up ubuntu-software (3.28.1-0ubuntu4.18.04.1) ...
 dpkg: error processing package ifupdown (--configure):
  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 configuration
InstallationDate: Installed on 2018-06-24 (1 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 18.04 LTS "Bionic Beaver" - Release amd64 (20180426)
Python3Details: /usr/bin/python3.6, Python 3.6.5, python3-minimal, 3.6.5-3
PythonDetails: N/A
RelatedPackageVersions:
 dpkg 1.19.0.5ubuntu2
 apt 1.6.1
SourcePackage: ifupdown
Title: package ifupdown 0.8.17ubuntu1.1 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)

[Bob MacKnight (tlingit)]

This is happening very often - I attempt to load an app and the load fails due to the reported issue. I have not reported this every time it has happened - if I did, you would be hearing from me quite often.