Read-only target .msi throws confusing exception

[barnson]

Task

wix.exe : error WIX0001: WixToolset.Core.Native.Msi.MsiException (1631): The Windows Installer service failed to start. Contact your support personnel.

A actionable error message would be neato.

[barnson]

The same exception is thrown if the .msi is open in our friend Orca.exe.