8.1.3's /etc/init.d/postgresql fails, logging "standard in must be a tty"

I cannot find any documentation of this situation.

Here is my system information:
    $ uname -a
    Linux Lab30.intrusic.com 2.6.15.7-0.1.smp.x86_64 #1 SMP Tue Mar 28
16:28:23 EST 2006 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

I don't have strace installed, unfortunately, and getting approvals to
get it installed would be hard.

Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Jonathan