ecivicrm doesn't update the transaction address

ecivicrm does not update the transaction address, in my code I need to pass the address to the psp for avs checking

$t = store_transaction_load($txnid);

$form['bill_addr_1'] = array(
'#type' => 'hidden',
'#name' => 'bill_addr_1',
'#value' => $t->address['billing']->street1
);

In the address module this works fine, however when address module is disabled and ecivicrm is enabled, this does not store anything in this array (or at least at this point)

Thanks,

Malcolm