Index: pym/_emerge/__init__.py
===================================================================
--- pym/_emerge/__init__.py	(revision 12347)
+++ pym/_emerge/__init__.py	(revision 12349)
@@ -6838,7 +6838,7 @@
 					selected_nodes = list(selected_nodes)
 				selected_nodes.sort(cmp_circular_bias)
 
-			if not selected_nodes and not myblocker_uninstalls.is_empty():
+			if not selected_nodes and myblocker_uninstalls.leaf_nodes():
 				# An Uninstall task needs to be executed in order to
 				# avoid conflict if possible.
 				min_parent_deps = None
@@ -7007,15 +7007,17 @@
 						except KeyError:
 							pass
 						else:
+							uninst_task = node
 							ignored_uninstall_tasks.add(node)
 							break
 
-				# After dropping an Uninstall task, reset
-				# the state variables for leaf node selection and
-				# continue trying to select leaf nodes.
-				prefer_asap = True
-				accept_root_node = False
-				continue
+				if uninst_task is not None:
+					# After dropping an Uninstall task, reset
+					# the state variables for leaf node selection and
+					# continue trying to select leaf nodes.
+					prefer_asap = True
+					accept_root_node = False
+					continue
 
 			if not selected_nodes:
 				self._circular_deps_for_display = mygraph