miR398 links expression of the three major chloroplast copper proteins, plastocyanin, CCS1 and Csd2, to copper availability. miR398 abundance was stronger plastocyanin-controlled in accessions from cold and continental habitats (Kas-1, Ms-0, WS) than in Cvi-0 and Col-0. Target gene regulation was broken for Csd2 in Cvi-0 upon cold-treatment. Comparison of miR398 levels, target gene regulation as well as Ago1 and miR168 expression demonstrated that the miR398 regulon can be overwritten by accession specific transcriptional regulation in Cvi-0. It is concluded that the escape from the miRNA control of copper homeostasis is linked to adaptation of Cvi-0 to its harsh natural habitat.