root password in KDE 4

Had this problem crop up again in KDE 4 Opensuse 11.1 just as it did the same thing in 11.0.

When accessing root account from a user account - such as opening up Yast2 a password is always requested. For the first week or so entering a password I would see this in the password field “******” which is as it should be. Now suddenly without reason I see this " " (that’s six spaces)

Previously in 11.0 it changed to this “//////”

What’s up with this?
Is it a bug?
Should I report?
Why does it not just stay “******”?