Catch a cache breakage

popup task asks to 'report bug" and retry: text in textbox of popup:
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "/usr/lib/python2.6/dist-packages/aptdaemon/worker.py", line 768, in simulate
    return self._simulate_helper(trans, status_path)
  File "/usr/lib/python2.6/dist-packages/aptdaemon/worker.py", line 821, in _simulate_helper
    self._cache = apt.cache.Cache()
  File "/usr/lib/python2.6/dist-packages/apt/cache.py", line 88, in __init__
    self.open(progress)
  File "/usr/lib/python2.6/dist-packages/apt/cache.py", line 126, in open
    self._cache = apt_pkg.Cache(progress)
SystemError: E:Encountered a section with no Package: header, E:Problem with MergeList /var/lib/apt/lists/security.ubuntu.com_ubuntu_dists_maverick-security_restricted_binary-i386_Packages, E:The package lists or status file could not be parsed or opened.