Checkout inconsistencies -- known bug?

[Douglas Finkle]

Scenario: 
Directory hierarchy (InstallShield project) checked into CVS 
filled with a few files, but mostly empty directories. The
directory hierarchy is required by InstallShield, not me.

Problem:
On the trunk everything checks out complete w/ various empty dirs,
and all is fine.  On a branch however, the module checks out up to
the point where the last file (i.e. non-directory) entry exists
leaving multiple empty, but required, directories unchecked out.

Solution:
Performing a CVS update -d will fill in the rest of the directories,
as will a mkdir (duh), but neither should be necessary IMO.

Question:
The repository was created w/ CVS 1.10, but regardless of client,
client version, or platform the behavior is the same.  Is this 
a [known] bug, or an unusual feature? :-)

TIA,
Doug