package vsftpd 2.2.2-3ubuntu6 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 3

[thewizard]

Binary package hint: vsftpd

Description: Ubuntu 10.04 LTS
Release: 10.04

vsftpd:
  Installed: 2.2.2-3ubuntu6
  Candidate: 2.2.2-3ubuntu6
  Version table:
 *** 2.2.2-3ubuntu6 0
        500 http://il.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid/main Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

expected:
clean install.

happend:
error 3, "gpasswd: user 'ftp' does not exist"

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 10.04
Package: vsftpd 2.2.2-3ubuntu6
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.32-21.32-generic 2.6.32.11+drm33.2
Uname: Linux 2.6.32-21-generic x86_64
AptOrdering:
 vsftpd: Install
 vsftpd: Configure
Architecture: amd64
Date: Mon May 24 16:08:25 2010
ErrorMessage: subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 3
SourcePackage: vsftpd
Title: package vsftpd 2.2.2-3ubuntu6 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed post-installation script returned error exit status 3

[Chuck Short (zulcss)]

Did you uinstall vsftpd and then re-install?

chuck

[thewizard (nitzanz)]

1. first I've done distribution update with that result causing the distribution update to state a failed upgrade and simply close,
I've then rebooted and saw it indeed upgraded to 10.04 from 9.10 despite the message.

2. then I've tried twice over this act: purge then install with that same result.