package vlc-plugin-notify:amd64 3.0.3-1-1ubuntu1 failed to install/upgrade: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration

automatic bug reporting led me here..

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 18.04
Package: vlc-plugin-notify:amd64 3.0.3-1-1ubuntu1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 4.15.0-34.37-generic 4.15.18
Uname: Linux 4.15.0-34-generic x86_64
ApportVersion: 2.20.9-0ubuntu7.2
AptOrdering:
 net-tools:amd64: Install
 NULL: ConfigurePending
Architecture: amd64
Date: Mon Sep 17 22:54:48 2018
DuplicateSignature:
 package:vlc-plugin-notify:amd64:3.0.3-1-1ubuntu1
 Processing triggers for man-db (2.8.3-2) ...
 dpkg: error processing package vlc-plugin-notify:amd64 (--configure):
  package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should
ErrorMessage: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration
InstallationDate: Installed on 2018-09-17 (1 days ago)
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 18.04.1 LTS "Bionic Beaver" - Release amd64 (20180725)
Python3Details: /usr/bin/python3.6, Python 3.6.5, python3-minimal, 3.6.5-3ubuntu1
PythonDetails: N/A
SourcePackage: vlc
Title: package vlc-plugin-notify:amd64 3.0.3-1-1ubuntu1 failed to install/upgrade: package is in a very bad inconsistent state; you should reinstall it before attempting configuration
UpgradeStatus: No upgrade log present (probably fresh install)