[Typo3] 3.8.0 Update required tables: strange message in install tool

[Jochen Weiland]

When performing the "update required tables" in the install tool of 
3.8.0 I am getting the following message:

ALTER TABLE sys_dmail CHANGE encoding encoding varchar(80) NOT NULL 
default 'base64';
Current value: varchar(80) NOT NULL default 'base64'

Strange since the current value and the suggested value are the same, 
and I can hit the "write to database" button as many times as I want - 
the messages sticks.

I am using mysql 4.0.20

The site itself is working fine.

Any ideas?