Basemap crash with testgdal example script

The example script 'testgdal.py' is crashing at the point of the basemap object instantiation:

m = Basemap(llcrnrlon=-119,llcrnrlat=22,urcrnrlon=-64,urcrnrlat=49,
            projection='lcc',lat_1=33,lat_2=45,lon_0=-95)
Assertion failed: (0), function query, file AbstractSTRtree.cpp, line 286.
Abort trap: 6

Is there a known workaround?

with basemap version 1.0.2

Best,
Michael