"ERROR: null" when using scaleX/scaleY for a bitmap resource in a Monkey.Barrel!?

I'm trying create a barrel that includes bitmaps.  When used in a regular project I'm able to specify scaleX/scaleY in the <bitmap> but when I try to do the same in a barrel I get:

ERROR: null

ERROR: Barrel build failed

In a way this makes sense given there is no device specified when building the project but I would assume that is deferred to when the project that uses the barrel is built.  Maybe that's not how it works.. ??

Thx,

Pete