your location could not be determined message stuck

A family member purchased a new 32gb iPod touch this week. I synced to iTunes and upgraded the OS to 3.1.x (not sure what the x was) on their PC. When using the maps app, I get the message "your location could not be determined" every 15 seconds or so. I know the message comes up because a triangulation can not be made, but I am not trying to get my location...the message just comes up when I am doing general browsing in my city or some directions. Why is this message popping up repeatedly?