package linux-image-5.8.0-40-generic (not installed) failed to install/upgrade: installed linux-image-5.8.0-40-generic package pre-removal script subprocess returned error exit status 1

[Ger Kersten]

After upgrading to kernel 5.8.0-58, I (tried to) remove 5.8.0-40 (with apt-get remove --purge *5.8.0-40*).

This error was shown.

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 20.04
Package: linux-image-5.8.0-40-generic (not installed)
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 5.8.0-48.54~20.04.1-generic 5.8.18
Uname: Linux 5.8.0-48-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia_modeset nvidia
ApportVersion: 2.20.11-0ubuntu27.16
Architecture: amd64
CasperMD5CheckResult: skip
Date: Fri Apr 2 10:12:57 2021
ErrorMessage: installed linux-image-5.8.0-40-generic package pre-removal script subprocess returned error exit status 1
InstallationDate: Installed on 2020-11-16 (136 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 20.04.1 LTS "Focal Fossa" - Release amd64 (20200731)
Python3Details: /usr/bin/python3.8, Python 3.8.5, python3-minimal, 3.8.2-0ubuntu2
PythonDetails: N/A
RelatedPackageVersions:
 dpkg 1.19.7ubuntu3
 apt 2.0.4
SourcePackage: linux-signed-hwe-5.8
Title: package linux-image-5.8.0-40-generic (not installed) failed to install/upgrade: installed linux-image-5.8.0-40-generic package pre-removal script subprocess returned error exit status 1
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)