[BUG] Cannot convert undefined or null to object

[PapiOphidian]

Is there an existing issue for this?

• I have searched the existing issues

Current Behavior

When attempting to install a package that doesn't exist, then an Error at https://github.com/npm/npm-pick-manifest/blob/main/lib/index.js#L213 throws an exception where it cannot convert undefined or null to an object, causing the actual npm install error to be hidden away. I was able to figure out what the error actually was by modifying the source, but I'm guessing this is a deeper level issue than just slapping in a || {} and calling it a day.

Expected Behavior

The error saying the package or version doesn't exist to properly throw rather than an internal error

Steps To Reproduce

1. run npm install this-package-does-not-exist-at-all (or any other package that doesn't exist. For me, it was validate-any@1.3.2)

Environment

• npm: 9.2.0
• Node: 18.6.0
• OS: Windows 11
• platform: custom build pc (x86)