Chemmacros breaks auto-pst-pdf

this is my first time here but I will try to do my best. My document stopped compiling and I was able to boil it down to the following MWE.
Basically I need chemnum (and therefore auto-pst-pdf) to replace temporary markers in my chemical schemes (all .eps files).
Chemmacros seems to break this because if I comment it out, the document compiles just fine.

documentclass{article}

usepackage{graphicx}
usepackage{chemnum}
usepackage{auto-pst-pdf}
%usepackage{chemmacros}

begin{document}

Hello World...

    begin{figure}
        includegraphics{picture.eps}
    end{figure}
    
    begin{figure}
        includegraphics{picture2.png}
    end{figure}


end{document}

From the log:

-------------------------------------------------
auto-pst-pdf: Auxiliary LaTeX compilation
-------------------------------------------------
This is pdfTeX, Version 3.14159265-2.6-1.40.21 (TeX Live 2020) (preloaded format=latex)
entering extended mode
system returned with code 256


Package auto-pst-pdf Warning: 
    Creation of 00_preamble-autopp.dvi failed.
This warning occured on input line 128.


Package auto-pst-pdf Warning: 
    Could not create 00_preamble-pics.pdf. Auxiliary files not deleted.
This warning occured on input line 128.

-------------------------------------------------
auto-pst-pdf: End auxiliary LaTeX compilation
-------------------------------------------------

I think it has something to do with ghostscript or related. This was tested on a fresh install on Xubuntu.
I can supply log files of a failed and of a working compilation. If anything is needed, please tell me and I will try to provide.

Best regards,
Phil

PS: I was able to reproduce the error with these files:

1. File 1
2. File 2

makeatletter
newififGPT@pagecolor
makeatother