diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 9579a6e2..4b970b45 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -38,8 +38,11 @@ NOTE: Add new changes BELOW THIS COMMENT.
 ### Fixed
 
 - Resetting DNS upstream mode when applying unrelated settings ([#6851]).
+- Symbolic links to config YAML are replaced by a copy of the real file by AGH
+  after startup ([#6717]).
 
 [#5829]: https://github.com/AdguardTeam/AdGuardHome/issues/5829
+[#6717]: https://github.com/AdguardTeam/AdGuardHome/issues/6717
 [#6851]: https://github.com/AdguardTeam/AdGuardHome/issues/6851
 
 <!--
diff --git a/internal/home/home.go b/internal/home/home.go
index 3f80cb07..8060467a 100644
--- a/internal/home/home.go
+++ b/internal/home/home.go
@@ -539,13 +539,13 @@ func fatalOnError(err error) {
 
 // run configures and starts AdGuard Home.
 func run(opts options, clientBuildFS fs.FS, done chan struct{}) {
-	// Configure config filename.
-	initConfigFilename(opts)
-
-	// Configure working dir and config path.
+	// Configure working dir.
 	err := initWorkingDir(opts)
 	fatalOnError(err)
 
+	// Configure config filename.
+	initConfigFilename(opts)
+
 	// Configure log level and output.
 	err = configureLogger(opts)
 	fatalOnError(err)
@@ -760,11 +760,12 @@ func writePIDFile(fn string) bool {
 }
 
 // initConfigFilename sets up context config file path.  This file path can be
-// overridden by command-line arguments, or is set to default.
+// overridden by command-line arguments, or is set to default.  Must only be
+// called after initializing the workDir with initWorkingDir.
 func initConfigFilename(opts options) {
 	confPath := opts.confFilename
 	if confPath == "" {
-		Context.confFilePath = "AdGuardHome.yaml"
+		Context.confFilePath = filepath.Join(Context.workDir, "AdGuardHome.yaml")
 
 		return
 	}
diff --git a/internal/home/service.go b/internal/home/service.go
index 727b8732..cb8f9b8b 100644
--- a/internal/home/service.go
+++ b/internal/home/service.go
@@ -271,11 +271,12 @@ func handleServiceCommand(s service.Service, action string, opts options) (err e
 			return fmt.Errorf("failed to run service: %w", err)
 		}
 	case "install":
-		initConfigFilename(opts)
 		if err = initWorkingDir(opts); err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("failed to init working dir: %w", err)
 		}
 
+		initConfigFilename(opts)
+
 		handleServiceInstallCommand(s)
 	case "uninstall":
 		handleServiceUninstallCommand(s)