diff --git a/src/openvpn/options.c b/src/openvpn/options.c
index b93fd4fe..bf2760e1 100644
--- a/src/openvpn/options.c
+++ b/src/openvpn/options.c
@@ -7892,7 +7892,7 @@ add_option(struct options *options,
     }
     else if (streq(p[0], "cipher") && p[1] && !p[2])
     {
-        VERIFY_PERMISSION(OPT_P_NCP);
+        VERIFY_PERMISSION(OPT_P_NCP|OPT_P_INSTANCE);
         options->ciphername = p[1];
     }
     else if (streq(p[0], "ncp-ciphers") && p[1] && !p[2])
diff --git a/src/openvpn/options.h b/src/openvpn/options.h
index c83a46aa..c37006d3 100644
--- a/src/openvpn/options.h
+++ b/src/openvpn/options.h
@@ -677,7 +677,7 @@ struct options
 #define OPT_P_MTU             (1<<14) /* TODO */
 #define OPT_P_NICE            (1<<15)
 #define OPT_P_PUSH            (1<<16)
-#define OPT_P_INSTANCE        (1<<17)
+#define OPT_P_INSTANCE        (1<<17) /**< allowed in ccd, client-connect etc*/
 #define OPT_P_CONFIG          (1<<18)
 #define OPT_P_EXPLICIT_NOTIFY (1<<19)
 #define OPT_P_ECHO            (1<<20)