mysql 5.1 client segfault talking to 4.0 server

Binary package hint: mysql-client-5.1

Connecting to an old (4.0) mysql server. Segfault when using the "status" command. I also find that mysql-admin crashes when trying to look at the server status, and I presume it is the same problem.
This is using Ubuntu 9.10 as the client OS (server is on windows).
Here is a copy of my login session:

steve@dingly:~$ mysql -h 1.2.3.4 -u xxxxxxxx -p -C
Enter password:
Welcome to the MySQL monitor. Commands end with ; or \g.
Your MySQL connection id is 9966075
Server version: 4.0.22-debug-log

Type 'help;' or '\h' for help. Type '\c' to clear the current input statement.

mysql> status
--------------
mysql Ver 14.14 Distrib 5.1.37, for debian-linux-gnu (i486) using EditLine wrapper

Connection id: 9966075
SSL: Not in use
Current pager: stdout
Using outfile: ''
Using delimiter: ;
Server version: 4.0.22-debug-log
Protocol version: 10
Connection: 1.2.3.4 via TCP/IP
ERROR 1193 (HY000): Unknown system variable 'character_set_client'
ERROR 1193 (HY000): Unknown system variable 'character_set_client'
Segmentation fault
steve@dingly:~$