Preseeded debconf value for fontconfig/subpixel_rendering is not honored

Binary package hint: fontconfig-config

Version: 2.5.0-2ubuntu3

I am using debconf-get-selections(1) + debconf-set-selections(1) to preseed configuration settings on a newly-installed Ubuntu Hardy 8.04.1 system (starting with ubuntu-standard, preseeding, and then installing a desktop metapackage). One of these addresses Fontconfig's subpixel-rendering feature; I want to completely disable it:

    fontconfig-config fontconfig/subpixel_rendering select Never

When fontconfig is installed, however, the default value of "Automatic" is made effective, ignoring the preseeded value. I have to manually reconfigure the package and select "Never" in order to make the desired setting effective.

The package should be checking for extant debconf settings upon installation, and honoring them if they are found.