+++ This bug was initially created as a clone of Bug #1800468 +++

Description of problem: PackageKit seems to query polkit even if the caller is root, but does not depend on polkit. This leads to failures from e. g. cockpit-packagekit when it tries to do package operations.


Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable):

PackageKit-1.1.12-11.fc31.x86_64

How reproducible: Always


Steps to Reproduce:
1. Install PackageKit, but remove (or not install) polkit
2. sudo pkcon refresh

Actual results: Fails with

Fatal error: Failed to check for authentication: GDBus.Error:org.freedesktop.DBus.Error.ServiceUnknown: The name is not activatable

(it's trying to talk to polkit)

Expected results: Operation works as root. It's acceptable to fail as user and not ask for auth if polkit is not installed.

-----

RHEL 9 is affected:

# rpm -qf /usr/bin/pkcon 
PackageKit-1.2.3-2.el9.x86_64
# rpm -q polkit
package polkit is not installed
# pkcon refresh
Refreshing cache              [=========================]         
Finished                      [=========================]         
Fatal error: Failed to check for authentication: GDBus.Error:org.freedesktop.DBus.Error.ServiceUnknown: The name is not activatable

This triggeres failure in /CoreOS/dnf/Sanity/integration-with-modularity-unaware-tools gating tests:

:: [ 14:51:38 ] :: [  BEGIN   ] :: Running 'pkcon -y -v --allow-untrusted install TestA TestB TestC TestD'
14:51:38	PackageKit	Verbose debugging enabled (on console 0)
[...]
Results:
Fatal error: Failed to check for authentication: GDBus.Error:org.freedesktop.DBus.Error.ServiceUnknown: The name is not activatable
:: [ 14:51:38 ] :: [   FAIL   ] :: Command 'pkcon -y -v --allow-untrusted install TestA TestB TestC TestD' (Expected 0, got 7)