package mariadb-client-5.5 5.5.40-0ubuntu0.14.10.1 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed pre-removal script returned error exit status 1

[Julien Fastré]

$ lsb_release -rd
Description: Ubuntu 14.10
Release: 14.10

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 14.10
Package: mariadb-client-5.5 5.5.40-0ubuntu0.14.10.1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 3.16.0-29.39-generic 3.16.7-ckt2
Uname: Linux 3.16.0-29-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia
ApportVersion: 2.14.7-0ubuntu8.1
Architecture: amd64
Date: Wed Feb 11 11:31:00 2015
DuplicateSignature: package:mariadb-client-5.5:5.5.40-0ubuntu0.14.10.1:subprocess installed pre-removal script returned error exit status 1
ErrorMessage: subprocess installed pre-removal script returned error exit status 1
InstallationDate: Installed on 2014-05-10 (276 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 14.04 LTS "Trusty Tahr" - Release amd64 (20140417)
SourcePackage: mariadb-5.5
Title: package mariadb-client-5.5 5.5.40-0ubuntu0.14.10.1 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed pre-removal script returned error exit status 1
UpgradeStatus: Upgraded to utopic on 2014-11-28 (74 days ago)