--- a/contrib/init/bitcoind.openrcconf
+++ b/contrib/init/bitcoind.openrcconf
@@ -4,14 +4,17 @@
 #BITCOIND_CONFIGFILE="/etc/bitcoin/bitcoin.conf"
 
 # What directory to write pidfile to?  (created and owned by $BITCOIND_USER)
-#BITCOIND_PIDDIR="/var/run/bitcoind"
+#BITCOIND_PIDDIR="/run/bitcoind"
 
 # What filename to give the pidfile
-#BITCOIND_PIDFILE="${BITCOIND_PIDDIR}/bitcoind.pid"
+#BITCOIND_PIDFILE="${BITCOIND_PIDDIR}/${SVCNAME}.pid"
 
 # Where to write bitcoind data (be mindful that the blockchain is large)
 #BITCOIND_DATADIR="/var/lib/bitcoind"
 
+# Where to write the debug.log file
+#BITCOIND_LOGDIR="/var/log/bitcoind"
+
 # User and group to own bitcoind process
 #BITCOIND_USER="bitcoin"
 #BITCOIND_GROUP="bitcoin"
--- a/contrib/init/bitcoind.service
+++ b/contrib/init/bitcoind.service
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ Wants=network-online.target
 ExecStart=/usr/bin/bitcoind -daemonwait \
                             -pid=/run/bitcoind/bitcoind.pid \
                             -conf=/etc/bitcoin/bitcoin.conf \
+                            -debuglogfile=/var/log/bitcoind/debug.log \
                             -datadir=/var/lib/bitcoind
 
 # Make sure the config directory is readable by the service user
@@ -51,6 +52,10 @@ RuntimeDirectoryMode=0710
 ConfigurationDirectory=bitcoin
 ConfigurationDirectoryMode=0710
 
+# /var/log/bitcoind
+LogsDirectory=bitcoind
+LogsDirectoryMode=0755
+
 # /var/lib/bitcoind
 StateDirectory=bitcoind
 StateDirectoryMode=0710