Package: adduser Version: 3.80 This bug may be in the shadow (source) package, or in the interaction between shadow and adduser. I lack the time to find it properly, sorry. When I create a user in a chroot (with shadow passwords not enabled, since that is how it is when debootstrap creates it), the file /etc/group.lock is created: root@gytha:/# ls -l /etc/group.lock ls: /etc/group.lock: No such file or directory root@gytha:/# adduser --disabled-password --gecos blah blah Adding user `blah''... Adding new group `blah'' (1003). Adding new user `blah'' (1003) with group `blah''. Creating home directory `/home/blah''. Copying files from `/etc/skel'' root@gytha:/# ls -l /etc/group.lock -rw------- 1 root root 6 Jan 15 22:44 /etc/group.lock root@gytha:/# ls -l /etc/shadow ls: /etc/shadow: No such file or directory root@gytha:/# I suspect the lock file is being created by one of the shadow tools, but not removed when it bails out because shadow isn''t being used, or something like that. -- Policy is your friend. Trust the Policy. Love the Policy. Obey the Policy.