codesign leads to ".DS_Store files cannot be a symlink"

[Paul Fishback]

My app runs fine on my Mac with OS 11.3.1 and I've been able to get very simple apps notarized by following the steps at

https://haim.dev/posts/2020-08-08-python-macos-app/

Today I tried to codesign a more complicated app and obtained the message

".DS_Store files cannot be a symlink", which I've had no luck deciphering

Here's what I entered:

 codesign -s "PaulF (TeamID)" -v --deep --timestamp --entitlements /Users/fishbacp/Desktop/entitlements.plist -o runtime /Users/fishbacp/Desktop/dist/My_Application.app