works, I think

restore_apt_repos.py

@@ -1,10 +1,11 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
 from operator import attrgetter, itemgetter, methodcaller
 from pathlib import Path
 from shutil import move
 
-from aptdaemon.client import AptClient
 from aptsources.distro import get_distro
 from aptsources.sourceslist import SourcesList
+from requests import get, RequestException
 from toolz import complement, compose, count, curry, excepts, groupby
 from toolz.curried.operator import eq
 
@@ -55,8 +56,6 @@ if count(sources_list_d.glob("*.original.save")) != count(
 else:
     # if the comment on a valid source line does not match the current OS
     if not all(map(is_current, comments)):
-        # create an apt DBus client
-        client = AptClient()
         # create some temp backup files of the repo .list files
         temp_suffix = sources.backup()
         # restore the original versions of the .list files and refresh data
@@ -67,7 +66,7 @@ else:
         for source in filter(is_valid, sources):
             # get the release and codename which are the last 2 words in the comment
             orig_release, orig_codename = source.comment.split(" ")[-2:]
-
+            
             # if they don't match the current OS, update them, save, and refresh
             if (RELEASE != orig_release) or (CODENAME != orig_codename):
                 if source.dist == orig_release:
@@ -87,14 +86,19 @@ else:
                 sources.refresh()
 
                 # test that the repo, updated for the current OS, is still valid by
-                # refreshing the cache. An error indicates that it is not valid.  If
+                # getting a specific URL. An error indicates that it is not valid.  If
                 # an error is detected, restore the temporary backup and refresh using
                 # error handler defined above, otherwise leave updated .list file as-is
-                client.update_cache(
-                    source.file,
-                    True,
-                    error_handler=restore_backup(source.file, temp_suffix),
-                )
+                try:
+                    response = get(f"{source.uri}/dists/{source.dist}/{first(source.comps)}/binary-amd64/Release")
+                except RequestException:
+                    move(source.file+temp_suffix, source.file)
+                else:
+                    if source.status_code >= 400:
+                        move(source.file+temp_suffix, source.file)
+                finally:
+                    sources.refresh()
+                
 
         # cleanup any remaining temp backup .list files
         for file in sources_list_d.glob(f"*{temp_suffix}"):