Looking at the log, the dpkg updates db has got corrupted - try a reset using:
cd /var/lib/dpkg/updates && sudo rm -rf 00* sudo dpkg --configure -a Marking 'Invalid' for this package as its a transient installation issue, rather than a bug in this python module. ** Changed in: pyparsing (Ubuntu) Status: New => Invalid -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1593374 Title: package python3-pyparsing 2.0.3+dfsg1-1 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess new pre-removal script returned error exit status 1 To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/pyparsing/+bug/1593374/+subscriptions -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list ubuntu-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs