Viruses have developed multiple strategies to interfere with the gene expression of host cells at different stages to ensure their own survival. Here we report a new role for poliovirus 2Apro modulating the alternative splicing of pre-mRNAs. Expression of 2Apro potently inhibits splicing of reporter genes in HeLa cells. Low amounts of 2Apro abrogate Fas exon 6 skipping, whereas higher levels of protease fully abolish Fas and FGFR2 splicing. In vitro splicing of MINX mRNA using nuclear extracts is also strongly inhibited by 2Apro, leading to accumulation of the first exon and the lariat product containing the unspliced second exon. These findings reveal that the mechanism of action of 2Apro on splicing is to selectively block the second catalytic step.