I believe that since you changed the location of the config file, changing the systemd service file is just a continuation of your local configuration. Simon's tip in comment #1 was spot on, as was your investigation of the config setting that needed changing.
Regarding the regression aspect of this, I believe we can sort that out via a release notes entry on openvpn. ** Also affects: ubuntu-release-notes Importance: Undecided Status: New ** Changed in: openvpn (Ubuntu) Status: New => Won't Fix -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Server, which is subscribed to openvpn in Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1787801 Title: openvpn does not work with ecryptfs setup To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu-release-notes/+bug/1787801/+subscriptions -- Ubuntu-server-bugs mailing list Ubuntu-server-bugs@lists.ubuntu.com Modify settings or unsubscribe at: https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-server-bugs