In this study, the authors identified a host long non-coding RNA named NRAV (negative regulator of antiviral response) that affects host control of influenza A virus replication in human alveolar epithelial cells. The expression of NRAV is downregulated during influenza virus infection and overexpression of NRAV was found to promote viral replication by suppressing the expression of several key interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). The authors speculate that NRAV controls the expression of these ISGs in uninfected cells, and when a virus infection is sensed, a reduction in the levels of NRAV increases ISG expression, which promotes control of the viral infection.