Problem with error detection in libpq?

I see the following symptom using current sources...
                                          -Thomas

myst> psql
psql: pqReadData() -- backend closed the channel unexpectedly.This probably means the backend terminated
abnormallybeforeor while processing the request.
 
myst> createdb
CREATE DATABASE
myst> psql
Welcome to psql, the PostgreSQL interactive terminal.

Type:  \copyright for distribution terms      \h for help with SQL commands      \? for help on internal slash commands
    \g or terminate with semicolon to execute query      \q to quit
 

lockhart=#