diff --git a/defaults/main.yml b/defaults/main.yml
index d073ad5..ecbc8ef 100644
--- a/defaults/main.yml
+++ b/defaults/main.yml
@@ -218,6 +218,7 @@ openvpn_scripts_dir: "{{ openvpn_etcdir }}/scripts/"
 # In some distros, the server with `foobar.conf` config file can be managed
 # using `openvpn@foobar` service
 openvpn_config_file: "{{ openvpn_etcdir }}/server.conf"
+openvpn_service_name: ''  # use the default os-dependent
 
 openvpn_client_config_dir: "{{ openvpn_etcdir }}/ovpns"
 
diff --git a/handlers/main.yml b/handlers/main.yml
index 7eec5fe..26d2ba5 100644
--- a/handlers/main.yml
+++ b/handlers/main.yml
@@ -33,8 +33,8 @@
         - ansible_lsb.codename != "trusty"
       listen: openvpn save iptables
 
-- name: Restart OpenVPN service
+- name: Restart OpenVPN service ({{ openvpn_service_name or penvpn_service }})
   service:
-    name: "{{ openvpn_service }}"
+    name: "{{ openvpn_service_name or penvpn_service }}"
     state: restarted
   listen: openvpn restart
diff --git a/tasks/service.yml b/tasks/service.yml
index a4507bb..1cec747 100644
--- a/tasks/service.yml
+++ b/tasks/service.yml
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 
-- name: Ensure OpenVPN is started
+- name: Ensure OpenVPN is started ({{ openvpn_service_name or penvpn_service }})
   service:
-    name: "{{ openvpn_service }}"
+    name: "{{ openvpn_service_name or penvpn_service }}"
     state: started
     enabled: true