Python distutils without python-dev?

[Magnus Therning]

I just downloaded a python library (elementtree) since the packaged
version is a bit old and I was somewhat surprised by the following
behaviour:

 $ python setup.py install --prefix=~/python
 running install
 error: invalid Python installation: unable to open /usr/lib/python2.4/config/Makefile (No such file or directory)
 $ sudo apt-get install python-dev
 [we all know what happens here, it just works!]
 $ python setup.py install --prefix=~/python
 [installing finishes successfully]

Is there a reason to provide distutils somewhat crippled like this, or
is it a bug?

/M

-- 
Magnus Therning                    (OpenPGP: 0xAB4DFBA4)
magnus at therning.org
http://magnus.therning.org/

Software is not manufactured, it is something you write and publish.
Keep Europe free from software patents, we do not want censorship
by patent law on written works.

BTW, I learned a lovely new acronym today: "Law Enforcement Agency
Key" -- LEAK.
      -- Charles H. Lindsey
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